The owner of a dog that burned its paws on hot tarmac during a family day out is warning others to take extra care this summer.
Josh Gruitt was celebrating his niece’s first birthday in Blackawton when he noticed three-year-old sheepdog Mist was injured.
The 22-year-old farmer, from South Brent, said the pooch had been playing on a basketball court on a hot afternoon in June.
Josh recalled: “As I was tending to the BBQ and drinks, Mist was playing with my brothers.
“She’s so energetic and would stop at nothing to get the ball.
“After a while, she came back bleeding, and I quickly realised that it was her paws.
“All four of them were peeled raw – but being a dog, she didn’t show her pain and just wanted to keep on playing.”
Josh said Mist’s injuries were so bad that she couldn’t walk and had to be carried around.
The family also struggled to round up sheep on the farm as Mist was out-of-action while she was recovering.
“It made us realise how amazing and important she is to the family and how hard she works for us,” he said.
Josh now wants to warn others of the dangers of walking their pets in the summer sun.
“People don’t realise it’s a problem,” he said. “But a lot of owners walk their dogs on the pavement.”
Steve Gosling, from Southmoor Vets in Ivybridge, explained: “Dogs pads are just as sensitive as our skin.
“You may notice your dog ‘dancing’ around or looking uncomfortable, but sometimes it isn’t apparent until the damage has already been done.”
He advised people to walk their dogs during the morning or evening on hot days when the pavements are cooler.
Owners can also try the seven-second test by placing their hands on the road surface.
If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
“The same applies to sand. Holidaymakers should always be careful on hot days at the beach,” Steve said.
If your dog does get injured during a walk, Steve advised people to act fast.
“If your dog has burnt paws, get in touch with your vet immediately," he said.
"In the meantime, stand them in cold water.”