萝莉视频

When Maya the smooth collie was treated for a stick injury at a Glasgow veterinary practice, no-one predicted that days later her case would spark a national discussion about the dangers of throwing sticks for dogs.

Maya got a 10cm (4in) stick lodged in her throat, puncturing her tongue and damaging her larynx.

Her story attracted the attention of the and 萝莉视频 Scottish Branch President, Grace Webster, provided a strong and clear quote about the 鈥渉orrific injuries鈥� that can be caused by throwing sticks for a dog. The next day (Wednesday 20 January) the story, along with previous advice from former 萝莉视频 president, Robin Hargreaves, was on the front page of .

Our messages on stick-throwing

萝莉视频鈥檚 press office in London began taking calls at around 7am and at 8:30am I, as President, was in the studio at New Broadcasting House. 萝莉视频鈥檚 messages were clear:

1. Stick injuries are common, serious and can be life-threatening 鈥� with problems caused, for example, by running on to a stick that has landed in the ground, and by infections caused by penetrating fragments of wood
2. Exercise is essential for dogs鈥� physical health and mental wellbeing, but it should be both good fun and safe
3. Use dog-safe toys as alternatives to sticks

Mishal Husain asked if I would attempt to stop a dog owner from throwing sticks if I saw this happening. I replied that this may not always be appropriate, but it gave an opportunity to highlight the benefits provided by local veterinary practices who routinely issue such advice through waiting room displays, press releases, social media and practice newsletters.

Today was followed by interviews for ten regional BBC radio stations, along with an interview for the Press Association which distributed the story widely.

During this time, social media was reacting to Lorraine Kelly鈥檚 dismissive treatment of the story on Good Morning Britain, with vets and vet nurses posting photographs of severe stick injuries they had treated. There were hints of 'nanny state' and 'health and safety gone mad' during the day鈥檚 interviews, but these were overwhelmingly countered by the many shared experiences and widespread support from dog owners.

Vet鈥檚 first-hand experience of stick injury

Sky News TV covered the story live at lunchtime, followed by who also interviewed Sarah Stevenson, the vet from near Glasgow, who had treated Maya. Sarah gave an excellent description of Maya鈥檚 injuries and a compelling case for why sticks should be avoided.

鈥檚 busy pet hospital in New Cross kindly accommodated us at very short notice, to record for Channel 5鈥檚 evening news, before a quick turnaround to central London for further BBC regional radio interviews and programme.

We used the taxi journey to call and the . A BBC employee accompanying me to the studio told me about the injuries her dog had sustained from a stick and thanked us for raising awareness.

A strong voice for vets and animal welfare

A slot in the studio for Channel 5鈥檚 evening news closed the day, by which time 萝莉视频鈥檚 press team had secured coverage in almost 300 international, national and regional media outlets (including the Japan Times and !).

The combined reach of our coverage was remarkable, all conveying our profession鈥檚 expertise in treating these wounds, and our concern for preventing them to protect animal welfare.

Many colleagues played a role, not least 萝莉视频鈥檚 press team who organised the day expertly, for which I am extremely grateful. My favourite tweet of the day was from :

鈥淚'd be one shouting "nanny state killjoys" if I didn't know lots of sensible, dog-loving vets who agree: no sticks.鈥�

Sean

Catch up with all the tweets surrounding on see a summary of our work below.