Puppy dies after lorry collision on busy town road

STAFF and customers were left shocked and heartbroken after a puppy died in an accident involving a lorry on a busy Burton road.

It is believed the puppy slipped its lead while being walked by the owner, running on to the road at the junction of Horninglow Street and High Street in the town centre where it was struck by a passing HGV.

Staff at nearby hairdressers Hair By Sally Marie in Horninglow Street say the owner of the pup was left “devastated” and had to be comforted by workers from nearby offices after her pet was killed instantly in the accident. The lorry driver was also said to have been left upset by the incident.

Sally Marie, owner of Hair By Sally Marie, said she saw the aftermath of the incident on Tuesday, December 14.

She said: “I didn’t see the incident in question but we just heard there was something happening outside. We came out and saw that the lady in question was being supported by the guys from Abode estate agent. I think they were speaking to police too. From what I heard, the dog had just slipped its lead and ran out onto the road.

“I did see the animal on the road and it was very distressing for all of us.

“I don’t even know how to properly describe what I saw on the road. It was sickening.

“It was honestly very distressing for everyone there. It was heartbreaking just to see and I felt so absolutely helpless. It was just a tragic scene to see.”

Sally added: “I think some people came out from one of the shops opposite and had to remove the poor thing from the road.

“It was just horrific. I remember thinking to myself ‘poor little thing.’ The driver was out there too talking to the police and he looked very sad too.

“The whole thing was just devastating to see and made us all really sad.”

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “Officers were called to Horninglow Street, Burton, at around 2.05pm on December 14 following reports of a road traffic collision.

“It is reported the collision involved a lorry and a dog.

“Sadly, the dog died at the scene and was taken to a vet.

“The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and exchanged details with the owner.”