A DOG owner from Neyland says his Springer Spaniel is 'lucky to be alive' after it was impaled on a metal stake.

Jerry Swift was walking the family dog Roxy in the meadow area near Cambrian Road, in Neyland, when she started yelping loudly.

Despite its injury, the distressed animal managed to dislodge herself from the stake, and was rushed to Fenton Vets in Haverfordwest.

"The vet told me that the metal stake had entered and glanced off her ribs to a depth of around two inches and she was very lucky to be alive," he said.

"Roxy has now seven staples holding the serious wound together and is on a course of antibiotics and pain killers."

After returning home, a concerned Mr Swift emailed Pembrokeshire County Council, asking them to remove the stake.

"The consequences are unthinkable should a child fall onto the dangerous metal stake," he said.

The county council said it has now made the area safe, and arranged to have the stake cut off below ground level and reinstated the area with topsoil.

"It is our belief that the stake is the remnants of a stay from a former electricity/BT pole," an email from the council to Mr Swift continued.

"We would like to take this opportunity to wish your family pet a speedy recovery from the injuries sustained on the weekend."