SERIOUS FOOD POISONING

DOGS don’t just use their tongues to clean themselves, they happily shove their faces into anything smelly — including dead birds, animal carcasses and fox droppings.

As a result their mouths and guts can be a breeding ground for salmonella and campylobacter — the food poisoning bacteria that can be dangerous for young children and the elderly.

Vicki Larkham says: ‘Unfortunately, dogs like sticking their noses into things, so getting licked on the face and mouth is not a great idea.’