Main image via Metro + Seattle Spectator
We’ve been living with our new norms thanks to the pandemic, for well over a year now.
And of course, our new norm includes wearing a face mask whenever in public. Though we’ve been wearing face masks for a while now, there are many who still do not know how to dispose of them safely and correctly.
Sadly, a family’s cocker spaniel has passed away after eating a discarded face mask.
via GIPHY
At just 16-months-old, Oscar the Cocker Spaniel passed away after eating a face mask during one of his daily walks.
The wire from the littered mask pierced the dog’s intestine and he developed sepsis from the infection. Unfortunately, the vets were unable to save Oscars.
Image via Metro
After losing their beloved pet, Oscar’s family put up heartbreaking notices around their local parls, warning the public of the consequences of littering.
The notice read:
“I was very playful, adventurous, incredibly loyal, loving and happy… I loved swimming and ball games but I do admit to being a little bit greedy and I loved sniffing everywhere.
I came here every day to play but last weekend I found and ate a facemask… big mistake!
It made me so ill could not move and my family had to take me [to] the vets, where I was given a lot of medication, I then had a blood transfusion followed by an emergency operation on my tummy, but the infection had given me sepsis and the wire in the mask pierced my intestine… despite their best efforts they were unable to save me and I died.
So, unlike you, I will not be around any longer to play here in the woods or down by the river and my family are all really sad.
PLEASE, PLEASE think about me and all my friends and instead of dropping and leaving behind litter (be these cans, plastic and glass bottles, sweet wrappers, crisp packets, tissue, wipes… or even nappies and disposable BBQ’s… and of course FACEMASKS)… Kindly dispose of these items safely and responsibly.”
Image via Metro
Emma Paul, Oscar’s owner, shared that she, her partner and their three children were left in “complete and utter shock” after the Cocker Spaniel’s death.
She noted that their family had woken up in the morning on Monday and found that their pet was visibly unwell.
“We rang the vets, straight away and got him straight down there and they just didn’t know what it was,” she said.
“They thought it might have been some sort of toxin poisoning, so he was on drips and had blood tests and all sorts,” Emma added. “They discovered he had sepsis by Tuesday afternoon, so operating was the only thing they could do at that point.”
“I think they just realised once they’ve opened him up that the damage to his intestine was just too great for him to survive,” she added sadly. “The wire had gone and scraped down his intestine.”
“I spoke to the vets on Wednesday and they said it was a facemask that he’d eaten probably Friday or Saturday on a walk. They said it was the wire that had caused all the damage.”
via GIPHY
With their notices all over, Emma hopes that it will make people think twice before disposing their face masks and litter irresponsibly. She also warned pet owners to be vigilant over what their pets may consume.
“My husband goes out every morning with him with a little picker and picks up all sorts around,” Emma shared. “You know, somebody might have put their hand in their pocket and pulled something out and the face mask might have fallen out at the same time.”
“We’re not saying it was intentional at all, but it’s just so sad that it was particularly a face mask that has caused this to happen.”
Image via Seattle Spectator
We know that wearing a face mask in public is mandatory, but it should also be mandatory that it is disposed off correctly and safely.
Please be responsible and do not litter for the sake of others like Oscar.
Stay safe and stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19
Info via Metro