Dog walker urges park-goers to clear up rubbish after kebab stick nearly kills pet

By Claire Dukes - 9 July 2018

Health and BeautyCommunityHealth

A dog owner from West Swindon is calling on park-goers to clear up their rubbish after his dog underwent a life-threatening operation.

Steve Langley and his family were left traumatised after a walk in the park turned into every pet owner's nightmare.

Steve Langley was out walking the family's Cocker Spaniel, Ruby, at Lydiard Park. As they were enjoying their stroll Steve noticed that Ruby had found something under a bench - presuming it was a leftover burger from a BBQ she had eaten, he didn't think too much of it at the time.

The Langleys quickly came to discover that their family pet had in fact sniffed out and ate a leftover kebab which was still attached to the stick - it pierced through Ruby's stomach and resulted in emergency surgery at Purton Vets.

Steve Langley said: "We are very lucky to live so close to Lydiard Park and get to walk our cocker spaniel there twice a day. This is a beautiful park, and without doubt one of Swindon’s assets, with the wardens and volunteers constantly working to keep the park as beautiful as it is. 

"Last year we were very disappointed that rules were brought in to limit when we can freely walk our dog but sadly recognise that some dog owners are completely irresponsible and that that ruins it for the vast majority who are sensible. Controlling your dog and cleaning up after them is really not that challenging but beyond a minority and that ruins it for all.

The kebab stick which nearly killed Ruby

"But what is a far more serious issue is numbers of the general public who think it OK to have a barbecue or party anywhere in the park and just leave their rubbish for someone else to clean up. And that thoughtlessness has had a very serious consequence for us. Walking across the picnic park on Tuesday evening our dog snaffled what we thought was a burger underneath one of the benches. Little did we know that it was a kebab, on a stick, and that it was to cause our dog severe pain and threat to life. 

"The stick pierced through her stomach, damaged her spleen and rested between her liver and spine. The fantastic care given by Purton Vets has, without question, saved her life. But the trauma to everyone involved has been huge and of course it should have been completely unnecessary. Is it really too much for people to walk 20 meters to one of the bins and dispose of their rubbish?."

The Langley family are now calling on park-goers who enjoy visiting Lydiard, as they do, to clear up their rubbish once they're done with their picnics and BBQs.

Steve added: "I suppose in the same way as it is too much for the small minority of dog walkers to tidy up after their dogs, it is also too much for some irresponsible people to just tidy away their rubbish. There is no criticism of Lydiard wardens, or the volunteers, who every morning are out tidying up the rubbish so that the park looks the way it does. We all have the opportunity to take a bit of responsibility - it really isn’t that hard. The upset this has caused our family has been huge let alone a bill that has run into thousands. And all for a kebab stick.

"What struck Lorraine and I was that human intervention has saved Ruby’s life - and we can’t thank Purton Vets enough. But Lydiard has all sorts of animals roaming around - foxes, deer, ducks, swans etc. What a horrible death if Purton Vets hadn’t been so good - wild animals don’t get that."

Despite Ruby now on the mend the couple are still concerned for other dogs as well as Lydiard Park's wildlife - they were shocked to hear from Purton Vets that this is not the first incident with a kebab stick that they've dealt with.

Selina Walters, Veterinary Surgeon at Purton Vets, said: “It’s critical that people clear up after themselves and to be mindful – we see dogs scavenge things all the time.

“Plastic bottles are another one, we cut out bottle lids all the time, and peach stones - people think they’re biodegradable, but they’re not and dogs swallow them.

“Ruby is the second dog this year we’ve found to have eaten a kebab stick – luckily with the other dog it hadn’t managed to pass through to the stomach."

Steve and Lorraine have since suggested to the council to increase signage about people clearing up their litter, and when someone rents the BBQs to provide black bin bags.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “We have every sympathy with Ruby’s owners after this unfortunate incident and we hope she makes a quick recovery.

“The team at Lydiard work extremely hard to keep the park clean for the thousands of people who visit each week. This includes emptying all the bins every day and undertaking regular litter picks.

“A number of bins are provided around the park and there are signs asking visitors to take their rubbish home with them. People who book barbecues within the park are also sent clear terms and conditions which state that all rubbish must be taken home or placed in the large metal bins provided on the perimeter of the field.

“We would like to remind all park users of the need to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner. Litter doesn’t just spoil the beautiful parkland for visitors, it can also have a negative impact on animals and wildlife within the park, as this terrible incident has shown.”

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