Dog owner shares warning after experiencing ‘frightening’ ordeal: ‘Control them at all times’
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Content warning: This article contains descriptions of a pet experiencing a traumatic incident, which readers may find distressing. Discretion is advised.
As pet owners, we often go about our daily routines with our furry companions by our side, taking for granted the normalcy of a peaceful walk or a quiet moment at home.
However, the story of Lenny, a four-year-old Irish Terrier, serves as a harrowing reminder that a single moment can turn an ordinary day into a nightmare.
On what seemed like a typical morning stroll through the bustling streets of Sydney, Lenny's curiosity and instincts led to a life-threatening situation.
Spooked by a cat, Lenny managed to slip out of his collar and darted into the dangerous oncoming traffic.
His owner, Jim, was panicked as he witnessed his beloved dog weaving through cars, desperately trying to catch him.
‘He managed to slip out of his collar and started to run backwards and forwards across the road to find the cat,’ Jim recounted.
The frightful chase ended abruptly when Lenny collided with the side of a vehicle.
‘It was pretty frightening, he just wouldn’t come, he was determined to find the cat. We thought we had him and he came bolting out and ran into a car. He hit the car,’ he continued.
Though he appeared unscathed at first and was able to walk home, the true extent of his injuries soon became apparent.
Lenny was panting, anxious, and it wasn't long before Jim realised something was terribly wrong. At the local vet, the grim diagnosis revealed cracked ribs, internal bleeding, and lungs filled with blood. Lenny was fighting for his life.
Rushed to the SASH Trauma Centre in North Ryde, Lenny was placed on life support.
For three agonising days, his fate hung in the balance, but against all odds, the resilient terrier pulled through.
After a week in the hospital, Lenny was finally able to return home, but not without leaving his owner with a costly and emotional lesson.
‘I thought he might die,’ Jim said.
Jim's ordeal is a stark warning to all pet owners about the importance of maintaining control over their pets 'at all times’.
In the aftermath of the incident, Jim has taken to securing Lenny with a harness, ensuring that a similar escape is far less likely to occur.
Dr Iain Keir, an Emergency and Critical Care Specialist at SASH North Ryde, emphasised the frequency of such incidents.
‘Lenny’s injuries didn't seem that bad at first,’ Dr Keir said.
‘The major issue was internal bleeding, which became apparent within a few minutes of arrival.’
The team swiftly acted to stabilise and provide treatment for Lenny, ultimately rescuing him from a life-threatening situation.
Dr Keir noted that car-related incidents are frequent, with the clinic attending to as many as five similar cases per week, mirroring Lenny's situation.
‘It’s a fairly common occurrence,’ he said.
‘It almost invariably happens when dogs are off leashes and near a pet’s home or their favourite park.’
Dr Keir stressed the importance of seeking veterinary assistance promptly for any pet involved in a car accident.
‘My strong recommendation for all pet owners if they are in this unfortunate position, is to seek vet care as quickly as possible to make sure those injuries aren't life-threatening,’ he said.
‘What we know with trauma, the sooner we can instigate treatment for injuries, the better the outcome.’
As a pet owner, keeping our furry friends is always paramount.
In a previous story, a pet owner shared a distressing incident of her dog being poisoned after ingesting human faeces containing marijuana at a campsite. You can read more about the story here.
Do you have a story tip or a personal experience that could help fellow pet owners? Share them with us in the comments below.
As pet owners, we often go about our daily routines with our furry companions by our side, taking for granted the normalcy of a peaceful walk or a quiet moment at home.
However, the story of Lenny, a four-year-old Irish Terrier, serves as a harrowing reminder that a single moment can turn an ordinary day into a nightmare.
On what seemed like a typical morning stroll through the bustling streets of Sydney, Lenny's curiosity and instincts led to a life-threatening situation.
Spooked by a cat, Lenny managed to slip out of his collar and darted into the dangerous oncoming traffic.
His owner, Jim, was panicked as he witnessed his beloved dog weaving through cars, desperately trying to catch him.
Lenny experienced a life-threatening situation after running into oncoming traffic. Credit: Shutterstock
‘He managed to slip out of his collar and started to run backwards and forwards across the road to find the cat,’ Jim recounted.
The frightful chase ended abruptly when Lenny collided with the side of a vehicle.
‘It was pretty frightening, he just wouldn’t come, he was determined to find the cat. We thought we had him and he came bolting out and ran into a car. He hit the car,’ he continued.
Though he appeared unscathed at first and was able to walk home, the true extent of his injuries soon became apparent.
Lenny was panting, anxious, and it wasn't long before Jim realised something was terribly wrong. At the local vet, the grim diagnosis revealed cracked ribs, internal bleeding, and lungs filled with blood. Lenny was fighting for his life.
Rushed to the SASH Trauma Centre in North Ryde, Lenny was placed on life support.
For three agonising days, his fate hung in the balance, but against all odds, the resilient terrier pulled through.
After a week in the hospital, Lenny was finally able to return home, but not without leaving his owner with a costly and emotional lesson.
‘I thought he might die,’ Jim said.
Jim's ordeal is a stark warning to all pet owners about the importance of maintaining control over their pets 'at all times’.
In the aftermath of the incident, Jim has taken to securing Lenny with a harness, ensuring that a similar escape is far less likely to occur.
Dr Iain Keir, an Emergency and Critical Care Specialist at SASH North Ryde, emphasised the frequency of such incidents.
‘Lenny’s injuries didn't seem that bad at first,’ Dr Keir said.
‘The major issue was internal bleeding, which became apparent within a few minutes of arrival.’
The team swiftly acted to stabilise and provide treatment for Lenny, ultimately rescuing him from a life-threatening situation.
Dr Keir noted that car-related incidents are frequent, with the clinic attending to as many as five similar cases per week, mirroring Lenny's situation.
‘It’s a fairly common occurrence,’ he said.
‘It almost invariably happens when dogs are off leashes and near a pet’s home or their favourite park.’
Dr Keir stressed the importance of seeking veterinary assistance promptly for any pet involved in a car accident.
‘My strong recommendation for all pet owners if they are in this unfortunate position, is to seek vet care as quickly as possible to make sure those injuries aren't life-threatening,’ he said.
‘What we know with trauma, the sooner we can instigate treatment for injuries, the better the outcome.’
As a pet owner, keeping our furry friends is always paramount.
In a previous story, a pet owner shared a distressing incident of her dog being poisoned after ingesting human faeces containing marijuana at a campsite. You can read more about the story here.
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