A MUM’S family barbecue ran up a £5,000 bill after her two pet dogs scoffed “dangerous” corn cobs.
Alicia Atkinson’s hounds swiped the nibbled cores from the bin after the meal.
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Ted the cocker spaniel was rushed to the vets after a BBQ took a very scary turn Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Alicia had to fork out an eyewatering £5,000 after her dogs chowed down on leftovers from the bin Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
She found it could be life-threatening as they cannot be digested by dogs, causing blockages which could lead to intestinal ruptures.
Alicia took cocker spaniel Ted, six, and springer spaniel Milly, eight, to the vet.
She paid £500 for medication to make the pets bring the food up.
The 35-year-old thought the danger was over — but four weeks later, Ted was back with the vet because he had stopped eating.
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An ultrasound showed a blockage in his gut. He had emergency surgery and some corncob was removed.
Content creator Alicia, of Harrogate, North Yorks, said: “The vet said it was a miracle he had it in there for four weeks.
“I never in a million years thought there was corn on the cob still inside [Ted]. I thought he was just ill.
“In smaller dogs, this would have been fatal. I was devastated and thinking the worst, I was so worried.”
She said the op costs were £4,500, although insurance covered £2,000.
Alicia said: “It was an expensive BBQ — it cost £1.29 for the pack of corn on the cobs and ended up costing us five grand.”
The mum-of-two has now even banned the vegetable from entering the house.
She said: “He’s back to his old self, and we’ve had to buy child locks for the bins for the dogs. No corn on the cob is ever coming into our house ever again.
According to Vets Now, corn on the cob can’t be digested by dogs, which means they can get stuck and cause blockages in the intestines.
The constant pressure built up could lead to your pooch’s intestines rupturing and can be life-threatening.
Now, Alicia is sharing her dog’s experience to warn other pet owners about this ahead of BBQ season.
Alicia said: “You need to be really considerate about where you’re placing your rubbish.
“Things like chicken bones, avocado stones and corn on the cob are all quite bad as they can cause blockages.
“Bin it and put it in your outside bin straight away.”



