Many Australians enjoy throwing a line into the water in the hope of catching a whopper for dinner.
But what happens if your wonderful relaxing day on the beach or jetty, or out on the boat, is suddenly interrupted by the family dog and an emergency trip to the vet?
Meet Flynn
The adorable Cavoodle went fishing with his loving owners, but the boisterous pup proved how quickly things can go wrong.
Flynn smelled the delicious chicken bait perched on a fish hook and gobbled the lot - hook, line and sinker.
"We discovered immediately that Flynn had taken the fishhook," said owner Peter.
"As we tried to remove the bait from his mouth, line and sinker came out, but he swallowed the fish hook."
Flynn's owners quickly called the emergency vet in Bundaberg, Queensland and rushed the pup to the surgery, where he was taken for x-rays.
"They showed us the fish hook in Flynn's stomach and explained the procedure for removal. He was immediately operated on, the fish hook was removed, and we picked him up the next day."
Flynn was put on drugs for 10 days and was not allowed to walk other than toileting. He was also made to wear a neck hood to prevent him licking the wound.
"A kind neighbour purchased a baby stroller for us to take walking and shopping, which was a great help," said Peter.
Needless to say, Flynn's fishing adventures have been put on a permanent hold.
"Fishing gear can be a big problem for dogs," Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia said. "We see an array of fishing-related injuries that have cost pet owners thousands and, fair to say, stopped the fishing doggy dream in its tracks for the unforeseeable future."
But it's not just fishhooks which are a danger. Dogs have been known lick or even eat puffer fish, which are highly toxic. Although the dog may seem fine initially, paralysis can set in and without treatment the dog will die. Dogs can also swallow lead sinkers.
Dogs may also scavenge around the bait bucket and can get hooks in their nose, mouth or paws. They can also fall off the pier or boat and if they're not wearing a doggie life jacket can drown.
"We have witnessed vet bills up to $14,000 for removal of ingested fishing hooks," Nadia said.
Tips For Preventing Fishing Mishaps
The key with prevention is for pet owners to understand a dog's curious nature and how quickly things can go wrong.
1. Secure Storage: Store your fishing equipment in a secure, inaccessible location such as a locked cabinet, garage, or storage shed. Ensure the storage area is high enough or otherwise inaccessible to your dog.
2. Supervision: Never leave fishing gear unattended when your dog is nearby. Always watch your dog closely when you're using or handling fishing equipment.
3. Clean up: After fishing, promptly clean and store your gear away out of your dog's reach. This includes properly disposing of bait, lures, or hooks to prevent accidental ingestion.
4. Training: Train your dog to understand basic commands such as "leave it" or "drop it." This can help prevent them from picking up or chewing on fishing gear if they encounter it.
5. Deterrents: Use deterrents such as bitter sprays or pet-proofing products on your fishing equipment to make them less appealing to your dog. However, ensure these products are safe for pets.
6. Distraction: Provide your dog with plenty of toys, chews, and mental stimulation to keep them occupied and less likely to seek out forbidden items like fishing gear.
7. Supervised Exposure: If you're introducing your dog to fishing or bringing them along on a trip, ensure they are closely supervised and kept on a leash or in a secure area away from your gear when not actively fishing.