5 February 2010

A Derbyshire pooch owner has urged pet fans in the area to check their furry friends have not become the victim of a potentially fatal prank.

Maria Thompson from Alfreton recently spoke of the pain her dog Tru went through when an elastic band was placed around her neck by pranksters, the Derby Telegraph reports.

The jack russell is believed to have been targeted by the culprits while she was exercising in her owner's garden.

Ms Thompson was unaware the band had been placed on the animal until Tru began acting oddly and having fits.

After examining the pet, the horrified owner realised the band had broken through the hound's skin and was resting close to her jugular vein.

Despite getting medical attention, Tru has difficulty eating and still suffers from seizures due to the damage caused by the prank.

"This was incredibly dangerous and I think anyone who has pets needs to keep a lookout for this sort of thing," Ms Thompson told the paper.

Elsewhere, moggie Oscar from Craigentinny in Scotland recently needed medical assistance after two elastic bands he swallowed became trapped in his stomach, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.