Iron constitution: Three pairs of knickers passed through Barney’s system (Picture: Clint Images)

Some dogs like chewing on shoes, others prefer the taste of houseplants – but this puppy clearly has a more sophisticated palate.

Barney the Staffordshire bull terrier likes to eat pants – and it seems he has a particular penchant for women’s underwear.

With an average of 14 dogs arriving at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home every day, staff are used to their unusual eating habits.

But even they were flabbergasted by Barney’s insatiable appetite for ladies’ knickers.


The nine-month-old has already digested three entire sets: two pairs of cotton pants and a black thong.

Veterinary surgeon Sam Barley said: ‘We thought we’d seen it all at Battersea, but clearly not. Who knows how Barney came to swallow so many pairs of pants.

Guilty… staff at Battersea have no idea how he came by his diet of delicates (Picture: Clint Images)

‘It will remain his secret but this little puppy is clearly a bit of a scavenger and we’ll be advising his new owners to keep him well away from the laundry basket and the washing line.



‘Dogs can often eat the most unlikely things whether big or “smalls” in this remarkable case. Luckily for Barney he seems to have coped remarkably well.’

Barney was found wandering the streets of west London before he was taken to Battersea. After leaving a ‘rather large surprise’ on the floor, it was discovered he had swallowed a pair of women’s pants whole.

Two days later, another pair came out intact and an X-ray revealed a black thong in his stomach.

To give Barney a new home, call Battersea on 020 7622 3626.