A 13-month-old mastiff named Sidney required emergency treatment in Belfast after swallowing a 20cm stick during a game of fetch.

Owner Elaine Fulton, from Belfast, was playing with Sidney in a park when the dog yelped and returned in distress. She was unable to open his mouth to check inside and drove him to the Vets Now emergency clinic.

Emergency vet Sasha Burns Fraser sedated Sidney to examine him. She located a small wound under his tongue and removed the full 20cm stick using forceps.

The stick had come close to puncturing major blood vessels and vital organs. Fulton said she drove across the city on a Sunday afternoon when her regular vet was closed.

Sidney has since recovered and resumed normal behaviour. Vets Now has advised dog owners to use rubber balls or purpose-made toys instead of sticks for fetch games.