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Family Comes Home to Tragedy After Dog Gets Head Stuck in Snack Bag
A Silent Danger in Plain Sight
We all love uplifting stories of dogs doing silly, sweet things—but sometimes, stories like this need to be told. Stories that raise awareness and help prevent heartbreaking, preventable accidents.
This is the story of Petey, a beloved family dog whose life was tragically cut short by something many of us have sitting on our kitchen counters right now: a snack bag.
Petey’s family, Christina and Christian, came home one day expecting the usual tail-wagging excitement. Instead, they were met with a quiet house… and devastating news.
What they found left them reeling.
The Unthinkable Happens
As Christian walked further into their home, he discovered Petey lying lifeless, a potato chip bag over his head.
They had unknowingly left the snack bag out on the counter. Petey, like many curious dogs, had gotten into the bag to enjoy what was left. But once the chips were gone, he went back for crumbs, and as he inhaled, the bag tightened around his head.
Petey suffocated.
Christina shared their heartbreak in a Facebook post, hoping no one else would ever have to go through what they did.
“He was able to get them off the counter that we will forever blame ourselves for leaving out… every time he would go for more he would inhale making the bag tighter & tighter… ultimately resulting in suffocation.”
Why Didn’t He Take the Bag Off?
Christina couldn’t understand why Petey, such a smart and agile dog, hadn’t pulled the bag off with his paws.
After doing some research, she found something alarming—this type of accident happens far more often than anyone talks about.
- 3–5 pet suffocations are reported every week
- 42% happen while the owner is in the next room
- It takes just 3 minutes for oxygen to drop to fatal levels
Many bags, including those for potato chips, popcorn, cereal, bread, and even dog treats, are made from material that creates an airtight seal around a dog’s nose and mouth when inhaling.
And because dogs are so food motivated, they keep going back inside—even when they’re in danger.
Raising Awareness in Petey’s Honor
Christina and Christian decided to share Petey’s story not for sympathy—but to save lives.
They want every pet parent to know:
- Don’t leave snack bags on counters or accessible surfaces
- Cut bags open before discarding
- Talk to others—most people have no idea this can happen
Christina wrote:
“So I just ask that in honor of my boy Petey that you be extra careful, warn other dog owners & give your fur babies some extra love today and every day after this.”
They’ll never forget Petey—the “best boy in the whole world”—and the joy he brought into their lives.
And if his story can help even one more dog live to wag its tail another day, then maybe some light can come out of this devastating darkness.
A Message That Could Save Lives
So many of us have snack bags lying around the house. It seems harmless—until it’s not.
Please don’t assume your dog “would never” or “is too smart.” Petey was smart, too.
Take a moment today to look around. Share this story. And give your dog an extra cuddle in memory of a good boy named Petey.
Here is another tragic story and more reasons to help us all bring more awareness to this:
Watch this emotional message and help spread awareness to save lives.
If you have pets at home, please share this story with others—it could prevent another tragedy.
