Local councils are facing accusations from pet owners and veterinarians that their environmental initiatives, including delayed mowing of public spaces, are contributing to a surge in dogs contracting grass seed infections. Owners report facing substantial veterinary bills after their dogs sustained injuries from foxtail seeds, commonly found in overgrown grass.
Initiatives such as "No Mow May," which encourages leaving lawns unmown for a month to support biodiversity, have been extended by some councils well into the summer. Combined with dry weather conditions, this has led to grass seeds detaching from stalks and embedding themselves in pets' fur, skin, ears, and eyes.
Julian Hoad, senior vice-president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, noted that reduced mowing of verges and green spaces, alongside biodiversity efforts, may inadvertently increase the risk of dogs encountering mature grass seeds. "At best, the awns can be troublesome, causing pain and irritation. At worst, they can migrate to deeper tissues, including the abdomen and thorax, and potentially cause life-threatening abscesses," Hoad stated.
Owners have described their dogs returning from walks in severe discomfort. Jo Keeling, a former police officer, incurred a £400 bill after two grass seeds were found in her Cockapoo’s ear following a walk in Bournemouth, where grass verges had not been cut for an extended period. She believes the local council is using its climate emergency declaration as a justification for cost-cutting by reducing grass cutting frequency.
Farmers are also affected. Jon Pratt, whose family has farmed in south Bedfordshire for generations, has spent nearly £2,000 on veterinary care for his 20-month-old springer spaniel, Ivy. Vets discovered two foxtail seeds in Ivy's ear and suspected a third had been inhaled and migrated through her lungs, causing an abscess that required draining. "She was wandering around with her head tilted towards the ground all the time and shaking her head aggressively," Pratt described.
Other owners have shared similar experiences. Siobhan Lawrence-Browne reported an emergency vet visit costing £600 to remove a grass seed from her Cavalier's ear. Ian Farmer had 28 grass seeds removed from his dog, and another dog owner reported 52 seeds being removed from a canine. Vets in Kent have seen multiple cases, with one cockapoo requiring the removal of grass seeds from his ears, toes, skin, and armpit, resulting in a £270 vet bill.
Foxtails, the barbed seedheads of certain wild grasses and cereal species, are not dangerous when fresh and green but can cause significant harm once dried. Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux of the British Veterinary Association advises pet owners to avoid walking dogs through fields of ripe, long grass and to check their pets thoroughly for awns after walks.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, which declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019, stated that grass verges are typically cut three times a year. A spokesperson for the council acknowledged the injuries and expressed well wishes for the dogs' recovery. They explained that changes to green space management, including allowing some areas to grow longer, are intended to support wildlife, enable wild flowers to set seed, and increase biodiversity, aiming for a balanced approach that benefits both residents and nature while optimizing resource use. Several other councils, including North East Derbyshire District Council and Warwick District Council, are among those supporting initiatives like "No Mow May."