Dog’s casual stroll around the house leads to $400 vet bill – the owner blames local council for the emergency treatment

A pet owner would think, 'What harm can a light stroll around the neighborhood with your furry friend do?' Ask Richard Freedman, who had to rush to the veterinary clinic with his pet dog following a walk and return with $400 bill in his hand. The London resident had gone out for a casual stroll with his pet, Chester the cockapoo, when he noticed his dog struggling. Chester was rushed to emergency treatment, and it was soon realized that weeds were the main culprit for his dog’s condition, as reported by the BBC. 

Freedman, who lives in East Barnet, blamed the local council for not removing weeds from sidewalks and public parks that caused the emergency vet run. At the clinic, seeds from sprouting grass were recovered from under Chester’s ears while he was sedated. The dog owner met three more people who had similar experiences, with their pets suffering “painful injuries” to their ears, eyes, and paws. "Pet owners are now avoiding certain routes entirely, and the problem will only worsen as more grass goes to seed over the summer months,” Freedman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service by BBC. He emphasized that the council had a responsibility to maintain the streets of the locality to ensure the safety of residents and their pets. 

"Dogs sniff the ground, that's what they do, and the council for some reason has decided not to clear the street of weeds," he added. During his walks, Freedman more often than not found weeds growing every 10 meters, either near the road or through the pavements. He recalled having a difficult time preventing his dog from sniffing up the weeds full of grass seeds. "The state of the streets is atrocious," he complained. Meanwhile, the Barnet Council claimed to have a “programme to cut grass and remove weeds across the borough.” However, some areas were left for weeds to grow and enhance biodiversity, given that these native plants are essential for sustaining local wildlife. 

But the local council stated they are “happy” to collaborate and work with dog owners to figure out the best solution that benefits both the environment and local residents of the neighborhood. Elizabeth Mullineaux, British Veterinary Association president, shared her expert insights following the incident. “Grass seeds, or awns, are sharp parts of certain grasses and cereal crops that can penetrate a dog's skin or enter body cavities, where they act as a foreign body and cause tissue damage and infection." According to Aldgate Veterinary Practice, the awns can travel deeper into the body, causing infection, abscesses, and even organ damage. All dog breeds are vulnerable to the threat from grass seeds, though the risk may vary depending on their coat type and habits. 

While unfortunate, such cases are more likely during summer, as the grass seeds ripen. Swelling between toes and intense head-shaking are some of the symptoms and should be checked with a vet. As a preventive measure, Mullineaux advised pet owners to refrain from walking their dogs around fields of ripe long grass or cereal crops to avoid contact with the awns. Besides that, they should check their pets for the seeds sticking to their pets’ fur and remove any seeds present.