Dog owners are being cautioned about potential hazards in Cann Woods, following an incident where a dog-walker faced a substantial vet bill due to sharp branches. Darren James and his dog, Minty, were on their regular walk on Tuesday, February 27, when Minty let out a yelp, leaving Darren shocked and facing unexpected expenses.
Initially, Darren thought Minty had reacted to playing with other dogs, but upon closer inspection, he discovered a stab wound on Minty’s chest, initially mistaken for tomato sauce. The eight-year-old dog was promptly taken to Woodland Vets in Manadon, where surgery revealed a stick had pierced Minty’s chest. Fortunately, the vital organs were spared, narrowly avoiding a fatal outcome.
Minty underwent surgery to close most of the wound, leaving a small part open for fluid drainage. Despite the close call, Minty is now recovering at home, but he’ll be off walks for a minimum of 12 days. Darren, now burdened with a £1,000 vet bill, called it the “most expensive dog walk ever.”
Darren emphasized encountering unusually sharp branches in Cann Woods, prompting him to photograph and clear them from the paths. He noted the presence of a nearby tipi, possibly erected by Scouts or a team-building group, which has since been removed. Darren contacted the forestry team to report the incident and numerous sharp branches at dog height.
“We’re fully aware there are branches and sticks everywhere, but we just wanted to warn other dog-walkers to be careful, keep an eye out for their dogs and be wary of sharp-ended sticks in the area because a simple walk can end up being really costly – or worse, could mean losing your dog,” Darren urged. He also advised fellow dog owners to be cautious and keep their dogs on leads in Cann Woods, especially around areas with sharp branches.
