Unleashed dogs cause girl, 5, to suffer leg break

Dad’s anger as pet owners flee scene leaving his daughter with painful injury

A father whose little girl suffered a broken leg after being knocked over by two out-of-control dogs on a Fife beach has branded the owners “cowards”.

Five-year-old Maggie Munro was walking on Aberdour’s Silver Sands beach at the weekend with her mother, two sisters and cousin when she was hit by the animals and left needing hospital treatment.

One of her sisters, nine-month-old Molly, narrowly avoided injury.

The family, who live in the Duddingston area of Edinburgh, had been visiting relatives in Fife at the time.

Maggie was taken to Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital with a broken femur and her left leg is now in a full cast.

Her father Gregor said he hopes the incident has not scarred Maggie for life as the family like dogs and hope to eventually have one of their own. He hit out at the owners of the two dogs, who did not leave their details.

He wrote on social media: “As a result of two medium-sized dogs playing without owners controlling them and then running into a group of children (ours and in-laws) on a beach in Fife, our youngest daughter Molly just avoided the collision but our eldest daughter Maggie took the full brunt of the impact and suffered a broken femur.

“Result – a full length cast from hip to toe on her left leg for six weeks, not able to move other than assisted by both Mhairi and I.

“Whilst it is likely Maggie should come through unscathed longer-term it might mean she has a limp or one leg longer than the other. All as a result of dogs not being ‘under control’ around children.

“You might say it is a freak accident but I was told by medical staff the same issue/injury happens with adults but they are better placed to absorb the contact.

“So, dog owners please be aware that your dog running at high speed in busy areas can be a risk to others.

“Lastly, unlike the owners of the dog which hit Maggie and caused the injury, please don’t just offer a weak apology and then wander off and don’t leave your details! Cowards.”

Dog owners are advised to keep their pets on leads in public places, particularly crowded areas.

“Dogs running at high speed in busy areas can be a risk to others. GREGOR MUNRO

Maggie Munro with her leg in plaster after the incident on Aberdour beach.