Penn. Resident Shares Warning for Pet Owners After Finding Beef Sticks Stuffed with Fish Hooks on the Ground

A Pennsylvania resident is warning pet owners to be cautious after she found several beef sticks containing fishhooks scattered along a neighborhood walking route.

Haley VanLuvanee said she discovered the items during a walk in downtown Easton, Pennsylvania, and shared photos on social media. In her post, she wrote that she picked up five pieces but worried there could be more left behind. She urged dog owners in the area to watch their pets closely and pay attention to what’s on the ground, calling the situation dangerous and upsetting.

The beef sticks could be deadly if eaten by a dog. If a fishhook becomes stuck in a dog’s mouth, it can cause drooling, pawing at the mouth, or difficulty swallowing. If swallowed and lodged in the esophagus or stomach, symptoms may include gagging, retching, vomiting, loss of appetite, drooling, trouble swallowing, weight loss, or dehydration. In severe cases, a fishhook can perforate or migrate through the digestive tract and lead to serious complications. Pet owners who believe their animal has swallowed a fishhook should seek veterinary care immediately.

Another Easton resident, Ashley Gonzalez, told WFMZ-TV that her dog narrowly avoided injury after picking something up during a walk near Center Square in early January. She said her boyfriend noticed the dog chewing on something and was able to remove a fishhook.

VanLuvanee told Lehigh Valley Live that she reported her discovery to the Easton Police Department. Capt. Sal Crisafulli, the department’s captain of field services, confirmed that police have opened an investigation after receiving a report on Sunday, Feb. 8. He said officers are reviewing surveillance footage in an effort to identify a suspect.