Police joined locals in a community effort to help a dog that was hit by a car on Mare Street.
Pusat, a young Japanese Akita, had broken away from his owner when he ran into the road and collided with a passing car.
Onlooker Fay Unsac said: “I was walking down the street and just heard a big bang. I thought I could hear a person crying, but it was the dog. No one really knew what to do.”
Thea Creasy, a passenger in the car that hit the dog, said there was nothing the driver could have done: “She didn’t have time to stop. The yelping was awful. I work with dogs and horses so I was just distraught.”
Quick-thinking residents from nearby houses brought out blankets and, with a group of passers-by, managed to get Pusat off the road.
The on-duty police neighbourhood patrol team, led by Sergeant Paul Perversi, quickly arrived at the scene, and offered to rush the dog to Goddard Veterinary Surgery. Together with residents, they made a makeshift stretcher from blankets to haul the troubled pooch into their van. Upon arrival, vets immediately sedated Pusat and carried him inside to receive treatment.
Pusat’s owner, Uygar Erdogan, said: “I just want to give Sgt Perversi a hug. I’m so grateful to everyone that helped. No one wants to see their pet in so much pain.”
X-rays revealed that Pusat had a badly broken leg, but suffered no permanent damage.
Sgt Perversi added: “We’re more than happy to help animals as well as people. I’m a dog owner myself, so fully understood Mr Erdogan’s distress.”
