Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate back in hospital after playfight with Boss the dog

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s cancer surgery recovery has been set back by a mishap at home but he’s bullish about a council return this week.

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has set back his recovery from a cancer operation by wrestling with his pet dogs, prompting a return to hospital.

But despite defying doctor’s orders with the ruff and tumble — causing internal bruising near his bowel surgery area — he plans to run the final council meeting of the year this Friday.

Mayor Tom Tate had some ‘ruff’ and tumble with his new dog Boss which put him back in hospital last week. Photo: Steve Holland

Gold Coast City Council media manager Warwick Sinclair confirmed Cr Tate had returned to Pindara Private Hospital on Tuesday and didn’t leave again until Friday last week.

“He went home and was wrestling with the dogs, mucking around, and hurt the surgery so he went back in,” Mr Sinclair said, adding: “You know what he’s like.

“He’s bruised things internally, he had a lot of stitches internally and has bruised it.”

Mayor Tate, despite returning to Pindara Private Hospital for three days last week, hopes to run the final council meeting of the year on Friday. Photo: Steve Holland

The Mayor recently adopted a Sharpei Boxer Cross who he calls Boss as a playmate for the family’s other dog, an American Bulldog called Jai Dee.

Mr Sinclair said the Mayor was taking his recovery seriously after having to go back to hospital: “I went to see him at Pindara and I asked when he was coming out again — he said ‘When I’m told to’ because the last time he sort of forced his way out.”

Mayor Tate leaves Pindara Private Hospital after bowel cancer surgery the first time - he had to go back in last week after wrestling with his pet dogs at home injured the operation area internally. Picture: Jerad Williams

Cr Tate initially left hospital for the first time 10 days ago after the successful bowel surgery which involved removing part of his intestine.

At the time, he said he planned to “take it easy” and “pace myself” and was in no hurry to return to official duties.

He has been replaced by Acting Mayor Donna Gates but now aims to be back at work by this coming Wednesday.

Mayor Tate with his wife Ruth after he had successful bowel surgery to remove part of his intestine. Picture: Jerad Williams

“He has told me he will be back and ready to rock and roll this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” Mr Sinclair told the Bulletin.

Asked about the Mayor’s frame of mind while recovering at home from the cancer surgery, Mr Sinclair said it could be summed up in one word: “Bored.”

Mayor Tate said yesterday: “I’m making slow progress post the surgery and hope to be back on duty for the final council meeting of the year.”