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A fuming Wirral family say their dog could have been killed after it chewed up part of a political party's campaign leaflet, which they claim caused his jaws to become glued together.

Jack Russell Terrier Eddie had to be taken for an emergency vet appointment having chewed up the corner of a Labour Party flyer after being posted through the letterbox of a home in Birkenhead .

Now Eddie's owner Tom Ollerhead is calling for the party to investigate the way the documents are made - "before it's too late".

He said: "It cost me £143 for the vet bill as it was an emergency case.

"This could have been very serious if the dog had been on his own."

(Image: James Maloney)

The Labour leaflet promoted the work of Cllrs Tony Smith, Jean Robinson, Stuart Whittingham and Margaret Greenwood MP , and was delivered to the Woodchurch home of Tom's daughter's fiancé Chris on March 15, when he was looking after Eddie.

This week, Mr Ollerhead, 59, who lives nearby, said: "Within seconds of them putting it through our door the dog had bitten a bit off, and it turned into papier mache in his mouth.

"Within a few minutes, the dog was unable to open his mouth. He was extremely distressed, as was my wife and daughter.

"It wasn't a massive piece of paper, but it might have taken all his teeth out. Dogs need to pant. That's what cools them down - and he couldn't."

After consulting the family's vet, they brought 12-year-old Eddie in for emergency treatment, and he was anaesthetised while the paper and glue was removed.

Mr Ollerhead added: "We were all very relieved that our dog made a full recovery, however we were lucky because we reacted so quickly. Can you imagine how distressed the dog would have been had there been no one else in the house at the time?

(Image: James Maloney)

"The information was not requested so the least [the party] could do is ensure it is safe."

He said a Labour official he spoke with told him the matter would be investigated, adding: "They need to look into this and start using other materials to make their leaflets with."

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The leaflet was delivered as part of Labour's campaigning ahead of May 2's Local Elections , in which current Upton Cllr Tony Smith is seeking re-election for his seventh term, for which, if elected, he will become civic mayor .

The Labour Party was contacted for comment.