Nowadays walking on a deserted beach with your dog is no longer a pleasure but more like running the gauntlet or trying to dodge land mines.  In fact, if you and your dog do survive the experience unscathed, consider yourselves are amongst the lucky ones … the other poor fish are statistics or at the vet, thanks to some dirty, rotten exterminators, otherwise known as unconscientious fishermen. Here’s why walking your dog on the beach has become so dangerous:

Fishermen leave behind their hooks, lines and bait

This new generation of murderers are accountable for the deaths of millions of fur, finned and feathered creatures, across the globe. These are Fishermen who are too lazy or too inconsiderate to clean up after themselves and take home their dangerous stash of unwanted hooks and tangled nylon. And while I’m sure there are many conscientious anglers who are extra careful with their deadly weapons, the majority actually couldn’t give a sardine about the terrible suffering they leave in their wake.

Your dogs are in danger

It’s due to these fishermen that our beautiful, pristine beaches have become mine fields of rotting fish and instruments of torture. Sadly it’s the alluring fragrance of this putrid bait which attracts our dogs to gulp it all down, hook, line and sinker, while out for a walk with their owners.

Not to mention the fish and other sea creatures

And when the tide comes in, these abandoned and extremely dangerous tools of their trade are washed out to sea where the wild creatures become enmeshed in their cast offs or swallow barbed metal, which causes unbearable suffering and a slow terrifying death, usually by drowning. Sea birds, fish and dolphins are some of their innocent victims, and now our beloved dogs have joined the long list of unnecessary fatalities.

But there is good news…and bad. The good news is, an emergency trip to the vet will hopefully save your dog’s life - and the bad news is you’ll have to pay through your nose for the long and intricate surgery which can run into four or five figures.

Fishermen - clean up your act

So what’s the answer? Well it lies squarely with the fishermen - however  if you really feel lucky, by all means go walk on the beach with your dog but keep ‘em peeled, stick to the water’s edge, avoid well known fishing spots and put your dog on a lead which sort of  kills the fun but that’s better than killing your dog.

And to those guilty fishermen, tight lines guys but please, have a heart, clean up your act and do spread the word amongst your connections… it’s the decent, humane thing to do.