inch toy arrow given emergency surgery

A playful puppy bit off more than he could chew when he swallowed a 20-inch (51 cm) plastic arrow and needed emergency surgery.

Four-month-old Bruno gulped down the toy in the garden before his owner Stacey Duff heard him retching.

Fearing he had something stuck in his throat, she called her local pet hospital in Manchester, which had to operate out-of-hours on his stomach.

Vet Caragh Kelleher from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) charity said the toy arrow was "so long it extended from his throat all the way to his stomach".

She said it required a speedy removal as it could cause a fatal blockage, adding "there was a high risk it could pierce through his stomach wall, causing a life-threatening infection".

Following an overnight stay, the puppy returned home to his relieved owner, who described the experience as "so scary" and called him "our big baby".

Ms Duff said Bruno was a "gentle giant really", adding: "He's so soft with everyone.

"He's quickly become a massive part of our family and I couldn't imagine life without him."

The PDSA advised that - given puppies' reputations for getting their paws "on things they shouldn't" – people should contact the vet immediately if they have eaten something harmful.

Ms Duff said she now made sure Bruno only plays with dog-safe toys to prevent further misadventures.