A COUPLE who were faced with a hefty vet bill after their dog bit through a fishing hook are warning other owners to be careful.

Alex and Caroline Brown’s seven-year-old black labrador, Duke, saw a fish while on a walk along the River Tone at North Curry and chewed into it before the hook attached to it pierced through his tongue.

Owner Alex, from Thurloxton, said: “It was quite distressing and I would advise other owners to keep their dogs on a close lead when there are people fishing nearby.”

Duke had an operation to remove the hook, costing £641, and is recovering at home.