Councils across the UK are being blamed for a rise in dogs suffering grass seed injuries after adopting "no-mow" policies on verges and in parks for environmental reasons. Critics say that by leaving grass to grow long in the name of supporting biodiversity, local authorities are inadvertently creating conditions in which sharp grass seeds become lodged in dogs' paws, ears, noses and other body parts, leading to painful infections.

Vets have reported treating growing numbers of cases where seeds have burrowed into a dog's skin or travelled internally, sometimes requiring surgery to remove them, with affected owners left facing vets' bills running into thousands of pounds. Campaigners and pet owners are calling on councils to reconsider their approach to mowing schedules, arguing that a balance needs to be struck between eco-friendly rewilding initiatives and public safety for pets using shared green spaces.