Please be very vigilant when walking dogs as the nasty hairy caterpillars have recently hatched and are on the march.
I have been notified of an incident in Tala where a small dog bit into a 'ball' which turned out to be a large ball of the caterpillars. He is very poorly, has had to have a tracheotomy, may lose his tongue and the next 24 hours will be critical. His distraught owner is covered in itchy lumps and has needed medical treatment as she tried to clear the caterpillars from his mouth.