DIRT BIKE KILLS DOG
Appeal for crack down after pet run over in public park
A Hamilton family have told of their heartbreak after their one-year-old pup was knocked over and killed by a dirt bike at the weekend.
Grace Cossar has been left devastated following the sudden death of beloved pooch Star, who was on her daily walk with Grace’s son on Saturday morning when tragedy struck.
As the pair were walking home over the park at the town’s Woodhead Green, springer spaniel Star was hit by a male driver on a blue and white dirt bike, causing catastrophic injuries.
And dozens of people have commented on the Advertiser’s Facebook page about the incident, with many saying a crackdown on bikers is needed.
A heartbroken Grace, of Clyde View, explained: “My son took our dog Star to the park at the Woodhead Green to play with her frisbee as he has done every day since she was a pup, and they were on their way home when this horrific incident occurred.
“They were just two minutes from our house when Star lay down for a rest. The next thing my son recalls was that this person on a dirt bike came flying down at full speed and our dog had no time to move.
“The rider went right over the top of her and he fell off his bike, apologised to my son, offered to pay vet fees then took off before swapping any details.”
Grace’s son was forced to carry an injured Star home and the family rushed
their pet into a veterinarian surgery in Glasgow.
She added: “When Star was struck a few people witnessed what happened and came over to help, but our lovely dog was in agony. We managed to get her to the vets, when we received the horrific news Star needed to be put to sleep.
“She had a broken spine, her back legs were paralysed and the bike had crushed her chest and lungs so they had no option but to put her down.
“We are totally devastated and my son, as you can imagine, is completely traumatised by what he saw.”
As well as the heartbreak suffered over Star, Grace and her family are concerned over the speed the rider was travelling and fear for children playing in the park.
She added: “I called the police as we are seriously concerned this park is not for dirt bike riders.
“It’s bad enough our dog was killed but if a child had lost its life in such a way there are no words. It doesn’t bear thinking about. The park has no place for bike riders and justice must be done.”
It is understood there were two dirt bike riders in the park when Star was hit. One was driving a yellow and white bike and the other, which hit Star, was blue and white.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around midday on Saturday, June 13, 2020, a 26-year-old man and his one-year-old springer spaniel were within the park at Woodhead Green, Hamilton when the dog was struck by a dirt bike. The driver of the bike did stop, but the man did not obtain any personal details before he rode off.
“The dog was taken to the vet but due to the nature of injuries had to be put down. The incident was then reported to police and their enquiries are ongoing.”
At the beginning of the year, Inspector Billy Sloan warned readers about an increase in calls reporting children, youths and adults using mini moto, dirt bike and quad type bikes on public paths, parks, bridleways and roadways.
He said at the time: “It should be noted they are not toys and those with engines are still bound by road traffic laws, regardless of the age of the rider or intended purpose of the vehicle.
“Whilst I don’t want to spoil the fun people have with these vehicles, I must stress that when they are ridden in the aforementioned locations it is likely a road traffic offence is being committed.
“This could mean the rider and/or parent/guardian of the rider may be subject to charges and the vehicle seized and destroyed.”