Woman’s terrifying park walk sparks urgent call for change after dog injury
- Replies 8
Many of us look forward to a peaceful stroll in the park—whether it’s to stretch our legs, enjoy the fresh air, or let our furry friends burn off some energy.
But for the city, local Wendy Coombes and her partner, what should have been a relaxing outing at a park turned into a nightmare that no pet owner ever wants to experience.
Wendy and her partner, both animal lovers and proud parents of their rescue dog Ripley, enjoyed their usual walk when disaster struck.
As they picked up bits of rubbish and discarded fishing lines—something they’d sadly become accustomed to seeing—Ripley managed to swallow a fishing hook that had been left behind.
‘I’m always very vigilant about the situation there because I have seen other dogs pick up hooks,’ Wendy shared.
But even with her watchful eye, the unthinkable happened. She noticed a string hanging from Ripley’s mouth and, upon opening his jaws, saw the hook lodged at the back of his throat.
Despite her and her partner’s best efforts (her partner is a vet, no less!), the hook was swallowed before they could remove it.
Realising the urgency, they rushed Ripley to the vet, where an X-ray confirmed their fears.
Emergency surgery was needed to remove the hook, which cost nearly $5,000.
Thankfully, Ripley pulled through, but the experience left Wendy shaken and determined to prevent similar incidents for other pets and their owners.
‘We were very lucky, he was very lucky,’ Wendy said.
But what shocked her most was learning from the vet that this wasn’t a rare occurrence.
‘They told me they see this all the time. Sometimes, especially on a Sunday, they have dogs lined up.’
After sharing her ordeal on Facebook, Wendy was inundated with stories from other locals whose pets had also fallen victim to discarded fishing hooks in the same park.
One resident managed to remove a hook from their dog’s mouth just in time.
At the same time, another spent over $5,000 on emergency surgery for their pet—plus six hours in hospital themselves after getting a hook stuck in their finger during the rescue.
It’s clear this is not an isolated incident, and the consequences can be dire—not just for our four-legged friends, but for humans as well.
Determined to make a difference, Wendy launched a Change.org petition urging Woollahra Municipal Council to install dedicated hook-and-line bins and put up anti-littering signs at popular fishing spots.
Her goal? To make parks safer for everyone—pets, children, and adults alike.
The council has since acknowledged the petition and, in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, will be installing educational signage at key fishing locations.
While this is a positive step, Wendy believes more can be done to encourage responsible fishing and protect all park users.
‘Fish responsibly, enjoy the harbour side, but please keep in mind it’s a shared space,’ she said. ‘Kids and dogs also want to be safe in that environment.’
While fishing is a beloved pastime for many Australians, discarded hooks and lines pose a serious risk to wildlife, pets, and people.
Hooks can cause severe injuries, internal damage, and even death if swallowed, and fishing lines can entangle animals, leading to distress, injury, or worse.
For seniors who may be walking grandchildren or pets or simply enjoying the outdoors, these hidden hazards can turn a pleasant day into a traumatic ordeal.
With vet bills for such emergencies running into the thousands, the financial impact can be just as devastating.
Wendy’s story is a sobering reminder that our parks and waterways are shared spaces.
Whether fishing, walking, or simply enjoying the view, a little care and consideration can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.
Have you or someone you know had a close call with discarded fishing gear or other park hazards? What changes would you like to see in your local parks? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below.
But for the city, local Wendy Coombes and her partner, what should have been a relaxing outing at a park turned into a nightmare that no pet owner ever wants to experience.
Wendy and her partner, both animal lovers and proud parents of their rescue dog Ripley, enjoyed their usual walk when disaster struck.
As they picked up bits of rubbish and discarded fishing lines—something they’d sadly become accustomed to seeing—Ripley managed to swallow a fishing hook that had been left behind.
Emergency surgery was required after a rescue dog in Sydney swallowed a discarded fishing hook during a walk at Yarranabbe Park. Credit: chalabala / iStock
‘I’m always very vigilant about the situation there because I have seen other dogs pick up hooks,’ Wendy shared.
But even with her watchful eye, the unthinkable happened. She noticed a string hanging from Ripley’s mouth and, upon opening his jaws, saw the hook lodged at the back of his throat.
Despite her and her partner’s best efforts (her partner is a vet, no less!), the hook was swallowed before they could remove it.
Realising the urgency, they rushed Ripley to the vet, where an X-ray confirmed their fears.
Emergency surgery was needed to remove the hook, which cost nearly $5,000.
Thankfully, Ripley pulled through, but the experience left Wendy shaken and determined to prevent similar incidents for other pets and their owners.
‘We were very lucky, he was very lucky,’ Wendy said.
But what shocked her most was learning from the vet that this wasn’t a rare occurrence.
‘They told me they see this all the time. Sometimes, especially on a Sunday, they have dogs lined up.’
After sharing her ordeal on Facebook, Wendy was inundated with stories from other locals whose pets had also fallen victim to discarded fishing hooks in the same park.
One resident managed to remove a hook from their dog’s mouth just in time.
At the same time, another spent over $5,000 on emergency surgery for their pet—plus six hours in hospital themselves after getting a hook stuck in their finger during the rescue.
It’s clear this is not an isolated incident, and the consequences can be dire—not just for our four-legged friends, but for humans as well.
Determined to make a difference, Wendy launched a Change.org petition urging Woollahra Municipal Council to install dedicated hook-and-line bins and put up anti-littering signs at popular fishing spots.
Her goal? To make parks safer for everyone—pets, children, and adults alike.
The council has since acknowledged the petition and, in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, will be installing educational signage at key fishing locations.
While this is a positive step, Wendy believes more can be done to encourage responsible fishing and protect all park users.
‘Fish responsibly, enjoy the harbour side, but please keep in mind it’s a shared space,’ she said. ‘Kids and dogs also want to be safe in that environment.’
While fishing is a beloved pastime for many Australians, discarded hooks and lines pose a serious risk to wildlife, pets, and people.
Hooks can cause severe injuries, internal damage, and even death if swallowed, and fishing lines can entangle animals, leading to distress, injury, or worse.
With vet bills for such emergencies running into the thousands, the financial impact can be just as devastating.
Wendy’s story is a sobering reminder that our parks and waterways are shared spaces.
Whether fishing, walking, or simply enjoying the view, a little care and consideration can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.
.png){kind=icon}
