A CHRISTCHURCH woman has urged fellow dog owners to keep an eye out for fishhooks on the beach after her dog had to have major surgery recently.

Joy Williams, 70, who regularly walks her dog Lola at Friars Cliff beach in Christchurch, said the problem had become worse in the past few weeks with fishermen just disposing of the hooks on the beach after they had finished.

She said: “I walk my dog at Friars Cliff beach every day but the danger of the fishermen leaving these things around is becoming a big problem.

“My dog is recovering from major surgery after swallowing one of them.

“I am picking them up all the time and I just want to alert people.

“It is a danger for wildlife and animals, not to mention youngsters playing in the sand.”

Mrs Williams said the vet had to cut Lola open completely after she swallowed the hook just over a week ago.

“They said she might not get through it again, if she has to have another major operation.

“It has been a problem for a while and I just want people to get the message,” she said.

Gary Foyle, senior beaches and open spaces officer at Christchurch council, said: “We make best endeavours to keep the beach free from fishing equipment left behind by anglers.

“We have installed a fish hook disposal unit at Friars Cliff beach and a litter picker contractor goes along the beach every day during the season.

“However, it’s important for people who leave their hooks and lines behind to know that they can be very dangerous and we would ask them to be more thoughtful and dispose of them carefully.”