A veterinary student has issued a vital and heartbreaking warning to all dog owners across the UK after a simple game of fetch with a stick led to the death of her beloved pet.
A Bond Cut Short by a Common Game
Ally, a dedicated vet student, welcomed her corgi, Lucy, into her life in 2020. The pair quickly formed an inseparable bond, with Ally describing Lucy as her 'soul dog'. They spent years training together and competing in various canine sports, from obedience to dock diving.
However, this beautiful partnership ended in tragedy in 2024. The cause was a routine activity witnessed in parks everywhere: playing fetch with a stick. In a devastating Instagram post that has since been viewed over 1.5 million times, Ally shared her story and profound regret.
"A year ago I lost my best friend because I decided it was okay for her to play fetch with a stick," Ally wrote. She admitted she 'knew better' but never imagined such a commonplace game could turn fatal.
How a Simple Stick Caused a Fatal Injury
Ally explained the horrific incident in detail. While playing fetch outside with a found stick, it suddenly became lodged in the back of Lucy's mouth. This traumatic injury led to a severe and rapidly spreading infection.
Despite emergency veterinary surgery, the damage was too great, and Lucy sadly did not survive. Ally's story is a stark reminder that what seems like harmless fun can have the most serious consequences.
Veterinary Bodies Echo the Warning
Ally is not alone in her campaign. Major animal welfare organisations strongly advise against using real sticks as toys. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club have long highlighted the risks.
Official advice on the Kennel Club website is unequivocal: "Stick injuries to dogs can range from minor cuts and scrapes to infections from stick splinters and even fatal injuries."
The guidance states further: "Stick injuries are all too common and preventable, so please never throw sticks for dogs. They can lead to horrendous, life-threatening injuries, requiring advanced investigation and surgery."
Instead, they urge owners to use specifically designed, safer alternatives. The recommended options include:
- Durable rubber 'fetch sticks'
- Tough plastic balls
- Purpose-made dog frisbees
- Any other robust toy manufactured for canine play
These products lack the sharp, splintering edges of natural wood and are created with a dog's safety in mind.
A Community Shares Similar Close Calls
In the comments under Ally's viral post, hundreds of other dog owners shared their own harrowing experiences, underscoring how common these incidents are.
One owner recounted how their Australian Shepherd caught a stick that got stuck in its throat, leading to emergency surgery. Another described a Belgian Malinois who impaled a stick into its mouth by stumbling while running, resulting in multiple stitches under the tongue.
Ally's final, poignant plea to all dog lovers is simple: "So the next time you play fetch, choose a ball, frisbee, or toy. Anything but a stick. I'd still be playing fetch with her today if I hadn't used a stick for fetch."
