While the New Zealand Veterinary Association doesn't have a stick-fetching policy, owners should reduce the chance of risk through the choice of toys to play with.
"Sticks, as with any other material thrown for a dog, will always carry a small risk of injury, whether through excessive force should the object hit the dog or equally through the potential for long sharp objects, like sticks, to penetrate the mouth, in particular should the dog lunge at the object to catch it," said president Cath Watson.
Other toys could be used for dogs to play with. However, she stressed that "behavioural enrichment" was critical for dogs and alternative toys could be used for a dog's playtime.
But some dog owners have rubbished the notion.
Shayne Gebbie, 47, throws sticks for his 5-month-old boxer puppy at his local Christchurch dog park.
"He loves it. I've had dogs all my life, and they've all loved playing fetch with the stick," he said.
"I've never had any problems. It's political correctness gone mad."
Tiko Toganivalu, 38, owner of 2-year-old Labrador-American Staffordshire cross Tess, said: "You can isolate incidents all you want, but I don't see any problem with it. As long as you're careful."
Bob Kerridge, executive director of SPCA Auckland, says owners should be using safer alternatives to sticks.
"For years it's been something that everybody does without thinking about it. But now that there are so many safer alternatives, it makes sense."
