Dog killed by kebab skewer

Pebbles the pooch died after gobbling up food remains left on a disposable barbecue and suffering a punctured gut.

Now her stunned owner, Leanne Richardson, has joined the managers of Rother Valley Country Park in urging park visitors to take home all their rubbish and not leave behind potentially-lethal waste.

Leanne, from Aston, said: “Pebbles was a very fit and healthy dog who, along with my other dogs, loved her runs and walks in Rother Valley all her life.

“It is such a shame that the place she loved the most has cost her, her life thanks to litter being left around.

“Pebbles' was quite a character and loved by so many and we are devastated to have lost her.”

The 11-year-old family pet needed surgery after falling ill and vets found that she had suffered a pierced gut from a kebab stick, which led to  peritonitis.

She was too ill to save and her devastated owners had to make the decision to have Pebbles put to sleep to save her any further suffering.

Park bosses said that rangers were employed throughout the year to collect litter and patrols were stepped up during the summer but insisted that keeping on top of the problem had become “a constant battle” .

Joanne Medley, the park’s events and promotions manager, said: “Litter is always unsightly, but food waste can be really dangerous for both wildlife and domestic animals if left around as this case tragically shows.

“We are asking that customers either bag their litter carefully and put it in the park's bins or that they take it home with them.

“We would also warn dog owners to keep a close eye on their animals because it is their responsibility to keep dogs under control.”