Authorities Warn of Fish Hooks Found in Dog Treats on Appalachian Trail: 'Deadly to Any Animal'
A hiker found the dangerous treats near the North Trail Loop leading to the George W. Outerbridge shelter in Washington Township, Pennsylvania, authorities said
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Dog treats stuffed with fish hooks found on the Appalachian TrailA hiker came across some suspicious dog treats on the Appalachian Trail — and now authorities are warning dog owners to be careful.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Lehigh Gap Nature Center shared on social media on Monday, May 6, that a hiker found dog treats "stuffed with fishhooks" while walking along the Appalachian Trail.
The treats were found near the North Trail Loop, where the path leads to the George W. Outerbridge shelter in Washington Township, Pennsylvania. This section of trail connects to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center trail system via the Woodpecker Trail, according to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission shared photos of the dangerous dog treats found by the hiker. The treats appear to have a hard shell stuffed with a soft filling; in the filling, the treats have several fish hooks crammed inside.
Related: Malnourished Puppy Abandoned in a Portable Toilet Acts Like a 'Wiggly Angel' After His Rescue
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Dog treats stuffed with fish hooks found on the Appalachian TrailIn one of the photos, a treat is broken in half, and several twisted metal pieces stick out of the meat-colored center.
The officials did not say how many treats were found with fish hooks inside, but based on the photos, at least a handful were discovered in the area.
Related: Dog Rescued After Being Found Hiding in Small Cutout on Side of Mountain in Arizona
The Lehigh Gap Nature Center noted that all the hook-filled treats in the area were "removed." The center also encouraged hikers with pets to exercise "caution" on the Appalachian Trail "around the Lehigh Gap."
The Pennsylvania Game Commission warned on Facebook that the treats could "prove deadly to any animal that consumes them, including wild and domesticated animals."
Pennsylvania Game Commission
A dog treat stuffed with fish hooks found on the Appalachian Trail in PennsylvaniaNever miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to PetCoach, which offers dog owners advice from veterinarians and other pet experts, if a dog gets a fish hook stuck in its mouth, it can cause "drooling, pawing at the mouth or trouble swallowing." If a dog swallows a fish hook and gets lodged in the esophagus or stomach, it can lead a dog to "gag, retch, vomit, stop eating, drool, have difficulty swallowing or experience weight loss or dehydration."
PetCoach noted that a fish hook can be "difficult to remove without causing tissue damage" because its barbs can become "deeply lodged" in the tissue it comes in contact with.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission said people should file a report if they see more of these harmful treats on the Appalachian Trail by calling 1-888-PGC-WILD or 1-888-PGC-HUNT.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
