Kate’s uncle Gary and a bust-up with a ‘rogue’ cyclist who ran over his pet dog
The Duchess of Cambridge’s uncle hit out yesterday at a ‘speeding’ cyclist who ran over his dog and ‘left him for dead’.
Gary Goldsmith, the controversial brother of Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, posted a picture of the alleged culprit who hit his chihuahua, Cheech, on social media.
his accompanying message included the words: ‘evil s***… Coming to get ya’.
The flamboyant millionaire businessman, who was once caught up in a tabloid sting in which he was alleged to have offered a reporter drugs and prostitutes, was with his wife Julie-Ann in Regent’s Park at 8.30am yesterday.
As he went for a cycle ride, Mrs Goldsmith took six-year-old Cheech and their other dog Keela, four, for a stroll in the
‘I’m not going to let him get away with it’
Central London park when a cyclist, listening to music on his headphones, ran straight over Cheech.
Mr Goldsmith, 49, told the Mail: ‘The dogs were a few feet away from her when a cyclist, wearing headphones, just came out of nowhere. he was going far too fast and didn’t slow down.
‘Suddenly he went over Cheech with both wheels. Cheech yelped and did a parachute roll before lying down on his side. he looked dead.’
Although both his wife and a witness challenged the man, he merely abused them before riding off.
‘Julie-Ann yelled to the bloke to get off his bike but he just ignored her,’ Mr Goldsmith said.
‘Then an American lady, who witnessed everything, walked over and said to him, “You were going far too fast. Give me your details”.
She told Julie -Ann that she thought it looked a l most deliberate. But the cyclist just said to her, “Don’t get hysterical, you American”. By this time Julie-Ann was crouching by Cheech and he coughed up some blood.
‘The bloke then turned to her and said: “I haven’t killed your dog.” The American then grabbed Julie-Ann’s phone and took a photo of him but he just turned away and sped off out of the park.
‘I was on the other side of the park when Julie-Ann called me, completely distraught. I immediately cycled over and found Cheech completely limp.’
Cheech is being treated by Bruce Fogle, father of TV presenter Ben, at The London Vet Clinic. he is on a drip awaiting further tests.
Mr Goldsmith, who regularly puts pictures of his two chihuahuas on social media, posted a picture of the man he claims was responsible on his Twitter feed with the message: ‘Know this man??
Racing through @theroyalparks Regents Park this morning ran over our dog and just left him for dead!’
Mr Goldsmith told the Mail that he was disgusted at the cyclist’s callousness and wants him to be prosecuted. ‘Most people, if they hurt an animal, would want to help. That’s your natural reaction,’ he said.
‘I’m not going to let him get away with it. I’m making it my personal mission to find him. I have called the Parks Police. he should not have been riding around with headphones on oblivious to the world around him, causing damage and riding off.
‘I want him to pick up the vet’s bill and make a public apology. JulieAnn is in bits. She keeps bursting into tears. Dogs are an important part of your life.
‘They are a big part of your family. It’s i ncredibly traumatic when something like this happens.’
According to The Royal Parks, which manages Regent’s Park, cycling is allowed on the pathways on designated routes – it is not clear whether the spot where the accident occurred is one – but there is a code of conduct for cyclists.
They are required to be considerate and keep to a ‘sensible speed’ on pathways, while pedestrians always have priority.
Police officers are able to issue £60 penalty notice fines for cyclists who do not adhere to the rules.