Teesside pooch Pepper swallows ball from power plant

Billingham: So, there’s this dog named Pepper who lives with her owner, Carol. Poor Pepper had to have surgery after swallowing a ball from a nearby power plant. It all started when they went to the beach at Seaton Carew. Carol thinks Pepper mistook the ball for a toy.

After some worrying symptoms, they took her to the vet. An X-ray revealed the ball stuck in her stomach. It’s called a taprogge ball, used at Hartlepool Power Station to clean its cooling system. These balls are supposed to be biodegradable, but they can sometimes end up in the sea.

EDF, the company running the plant, says they take their environmental duties seriously. They try to collect any balls that wash up on the beach. But Carol wants to make sure other dog owners know about these balls, especially since they can be hard to spot.

She said, “We didn’t see her pick it up. All her toys are bright colors.” It’s a scary thought that Pepper could have swallowed it without anyone noticing. Thankfully, she’s recovering now and back home with her buddy, Pickle.

Carol is working with the vets to spread the word about these balls. She’s not convinced by EDF’s claims that they’re safe. “If they’re on the beach for two years, that’s a risk for two years!” she said. It’s great that Pepper is okay, but it’s a reminder to keep an eye on our pets at the beach.