Generous residents have raised more than £1000 to pay a poorly dog’s vet bills after it was involved in a horrific hit-and-run.
Frank, a three-year-old collie-Staffordshire cross, ended up needing a leg amputated following the smash, which happened when the dog was out on a walk with its owner, Graeme McKenzie.
A car hit Frank on Cousland Road, Livingston, West Lothian, leaving the dog with a punctured lung, several wounds and a serious leg injury. The car drove off.
Frank’s owners said they were “heartbroken” following the incident and were worried about how to pay for the vet bills.
But local residents stepped in to help the hound after spotting the story on social media, setting up a Just Giving page which has so far raised £1,112.
Charlotte Jenkins, 23, who is Graeme McKenzie’s partner, said Frank had been walking behind Graeme, 26, at the time of the accident.
He heard a “thud” and a “yelp” before turning to discover his pet lying on the pavement motionless.
Charlotte, who gave birth to a baby boy in January, said: “We were both absolutely heartbroken.
“When we got him to the vets, we were told it was touch and go. It was awful.
“He had a really low temperature and a punctured lung that kept filling up and having to be drained again.
“He then had to have his leg amputated.
“He’s like our baby – we were distraught and we started to worry about how we would pay for his vet bills.”
After hearing about Frank’s story and learning Charlotte had just had a baby, Kirstyn Morier and her friends Becca Logan and Cheryl McEwan set up the online fundraising page.
Kirstyn, who has seen donations pour in from across West Lothian, said: “I just thought it was shocking what happened to Frank, it really broke my heart.
“I know Charlotte and Graeme through a mutual friend and after hearing they’d just had a newborn baby, too, it was the least we could do.
“We are so thankful to everyone who has donated.”
Charlotte said Frank is continuing to improve day by day but was a bit scared to go outside.
She said: “He is gradually getting better but he still seems a bit scared to go outside.
“I can’t believe the driver of the car didn’t even stop to see if he was OK. Even if he didn’t have money to help us pay for his treatment, an apology would have done.
“I’ve been shocked and so overwhelmed by the girls who are fundraising for him and I want to thank them and everyone who has donated.
“The girls know how tight it is just now because I’m on maternity leave.
“It’s so heartwarming.”
Kirstyn aims to raise a total of £1500 for the couple and Frank.
To donate, visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Franks-Recovery
