A Top End vet clinic is urging anglers to make sure it's only fish that are getting hooked after the snagging of dogs in recent days.
A graphic photo posted to Ark Animal Hospital's Facebook page shows one dog with hooks firmly embedded in its snout and mouth.
It was one of two cases of dogs getting hooked on lures after attempting to eat them over the weekend, veterinarian Stephen Cutter said.
"In both cases they got access to the fishing lures — they're bright and attractive and designed to attract attention," he told ABC Radio Darwin's Jolene Laverty and Adam Steer.
"It's remarkably common — we see it at least once a fortnight."
The Top End has a year-round fishing season, but Dr Cutter said increased activity following monsoonal rain was one reason for the spike in cases.
He said removing the hooks without sedation was difficult and painful for the dogs.
"Most people try to remove the lures [themselves] before they bring them down," he said.
"But the hooks are designed to get well and truly embedded in there to catch the fish."
He urged fishermen to securely store their tackle boxes out of reach of the family pet.
"Dogs are very determined to investigate things," he said.
"Things like that you've just got to be sure that they're not lying around."
