A man has revealed how he was left feeling "gutted" after his pet pooch devoured a winning National Lottery scratchcard before he could claim the prize.
Gareth Thomas, 38, from Canton, Cardiff, had purchased a £2 "£120,000 Richer" scratchcard from a Londis on Cowbridge Road East.
The lucky ticket turned into a disaster when his pet dog Teddy tore it to shreds whilst Thomas briefly stepped outside.
"I'd just scratched it at the table and was buzzing when I saw the win," Thomas said.
Scratching a National Lottery scratch card
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"I nipped outside for five minutes to bring the washing in, came back, and there it was -- tiny bits of foil and cardboard everywhere. Teddy had eaten the lot."
The unfortunate incident occurred after Thomas had bought his first scratchcard in months during a quick errand for milk.
"Typical, isn't it? The one time I actually win something, and the dog thinks it's lunch," Thomas said.
Despite contacting the National Lottery to salvage his prize, he was informed that a complete and legible ticket is required for any claim.
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Gareth bought the ticket from a Londis
PA"I sent them photos of what was left, but without the barcode and the numbers showing, it's a no-go. I was gutted," he added.
According to Thomas, Teddy has previous form for chewing household items and that the disappointed winner had already made plans for the windfall before it was destroyed.
"He's chewed the TV remote, post, socks... But this was the big one.
"I was already planning to pay off some bills. That £500 felt like a small fortune."
A spokesman for playcasino.com said: "This is a funny story, but it's a serious reminder -- scratchcards are legal proof of your win. If they're lost or destroyed, there's very little that can be done."
To help players avoid similar disappointment, the website has offered three simple tips to protect winnings. Firstly, take a clear photo of the full card immediately after revealing a win.
Secondly, keep tickets out of reach of curious pets and children who can quickly turn a winning moment into disaster.
Finally, store winning cards securely in a drawer, wallet or sealed envelope as soon as you discover your win.
