For generations, dog owners have loved throwing sticks for their pets to chase and retrieve. But the game has been branded dangerous by a senior vet.
The warning came after a collie called Maya suffered a punctured tongue and displaced voicebox when a piece of wood became stuck deep in her throat.
Grace Webster, of the British Veterinary Association, said: "Most owners and dogs think throwing a stick is great fun.
"Throwing sticks for your dog can be dangerous and lead to horrific injuries that can be very distressing for both you and your dog, such as causing cuts to their mouths and tongues or, as in this case, getting the stick lodged in their throat. Even when the initial wound is treated, splinters have often got stuck and require subsequent operations."
She advised using alternative toys such as rubber sticks from pet shops, balls or Frisbees.