Vet expresses anger after spate of injuries caused by discarded fishing hooks
A west Fife vet has been left disgusted by a recent spate of serious injuries to animals and birds caused by carelessly discarded fishing hooks.


Fly with Jenny Hoggan and vet Megan Wood.
By Leeza Clark
Published in the Courier : 02.08.11
Published online : 02.08.11 @ 03.39pm
Send link The dangerous way some anglers leave equipment lying around has already claimed the life of a young cygnet.

In another recent case, a dog that swallowed a fishing hook could have died "a horrible death" had it not been for the quick thinking of its owners and the speedy intervention of veterinary staff.

The dog, called Fly, had to have an operation at Inglis Veterinary Hospital in Dunfermline to remove the hook from its stomach.

It was the second such incident dealt with by staff at Inglis within a few days, and has prompted staff to send out a warning and appeal to the angling community to be more careful.

In the second case, two cygnets were brought into the practice by Scottish SPCA officers. They were picked up at Townhill Loch, a fishing water on the northern outskirts of Dunfermline.

Both had to be put under anaesthetic before the fishing hooks could be removed.

One was subsequently returned to its parents at the loch, but unfortunately the other died.

Meanwhile, Fly has recovered, but vet Megan Wood said her chances would not have been good had her owner not taken her to a vet.

"This could well have been fatal," said Megan. "The collie was particularly lucky in that she had a piece of fishing line hanging from her mouth, so her owner had a pretty good idea that she had swallowed a hook.

Horrible death

"Without that, the owner might never have known, and Fly could have died a horrible death. Thankfully, we were able to remove the hook and line and she's fine now."

Fly swallowed the hook while out walking at Pittenweem Harbour with owner John Hoggan, who lives near Knockhill, on Tuesday evening.

John's wife, Jenny said, "My husband tried to get the line out but couldn't, so he took Fly to the vet, where an X-ray showed the hook in Fly's stomach."

"I am dismayed that fishermen should leave hooks lying around on a pier, putting children, pets and wildlife at risk. My husband told the harbourmaster what happened and he went to the pier and picked up three more hooks."

Megan added, "What is particularly troubling about this incident, and the injuries to two young swans, is that these things keep on happening, despite repeated warnings.

"Anglers should be well aware of the dangers to pets and wildlife caused by leaving equipment behind, or not retrieving discarded hooks and lines.

"They can cause pain or death to animals and birds. This was a death that was preventable. I would plead with anglers to be more careful in future," she added.

Her pleas were backed by the Scottish SPCA, whose chief superintendent Mike Flynn said, "General rubbish such as glass, cans and plastic can pose a significant risk to wildlife.

"In particular, discarded fishing tackle can be a potential death trap for waterfowl. They become tangled up in fishing lines and hooks, which not only causes damage to the wings and body, if swallowed it may cause internal problems that can lead to death.

"We would urge all fishing enthusiasts to ensure that they clear away all fishing lines and tackle after use."

The way that the paper has set this up makes one believe that it is aimed at all anglers and that the fishing fraternatity are the main culprits, It is on the main inside page of the paper, and by its clever use of the damage that was done to cygnets brings into the argument fly fishers who probabaly do more to preserve wildlife than any other body whilst enjoying thier sport.
As an owner and operator of a small but reasonably busy fishery for quite a few years I have never experienced anglers discarding hooks, line yes, but never hooks, fish will break lines and then spit out the hooks and yes many get washed up on the loch shores, hence the reason we have a sign that says anglers only, and another sign that says beyond this point we take no responsibility, dogs are not permitted at the Goldenloch, but on rare occasions I will allow if there are reasons, and I do explain to owners the reasons are that a fishing loch is not a safe place, But boy o boy you try telling that to Mr and Mrs rude public who often quote in Scotland we can go where ever we want, and my ever so delicate colourful answer is not usually accepted, anyone else got views