Ball warning

[lankeela]

This has just been posted on a Border Collie group I am on:

"I had to take one of my dogs to the vet this afternoon however,
whilst there the police carried in a GSD who had choked on a ball
This was an absolute tragedy and not something that can ever be forgotten
the owner was traumatised and i dont know how will overcome this
i know that we are all so careful but in seconds lives can change
i dont think i will ever forget their carrying in the dog
the park police were just fantastic"

One of the first things I was told with my first GSD was never to allow him to play with a tennis ball sized ball as they can get stuck and you can't get them out.

[boxtops]

..and yet the pet shops sell those balls-in-slings toys to play with your dog.... that's so sad, lankeela.

[Postdog]

Yeah I've heard of this happening to a friend. Unfortunately she had her grandchildren round too and it was horrendous for her.

[jules77]

Tragic, I have heard of this happening before.

[horselady]

I remember that happening to a dog I had about 30 years ago. She was staggering around and I could see the ball jammed in her throat. Luckily I was able to sort of manipulate her throat and the ball shot out. I can still recall how my heart was thumping, I thought she was a gonner.

[jules77]

I cross posted this onto a Rescue Group I am a member of, but because a GSD rescue group sell a hyper ball launcher which uses tennis balls to raise funds, my post was removed. I am surprised and annoyed, as it seems to me they would sacrifice the safety of one dog, in order to raise funds for another.

[carmalee]

have always advised against using a tennis ball for a dog toy - alas so many think it's acceptable and tragedies like this happen. Awful story