AN animal lover is appealing for help in raising £4,500 to pay for vet bills for a dog she saw getting run over.
Dawn Shuttlewood saw the "horrific" incident in Sir Frank Whittle Way on Wednesday night when the three-year-old golden retriever, Bella, was in collision with a car.
The driver did not stop but was not to blame, she says.
The owner of the dog, who wants to remain anonymous, said she had managed to negotiate a timeframe to pay the vet bill. If she hadn't done so, she says, Bella would have been put down.
Dawn, of Stenson Fields, helped the owner take Bella to a vet for treatment after the incident. Bella had two broken legs.
Speaking through tears, Dawn, who has three dogs, said: "We had to stop the traffic when she was hit and straight away I wanted to help.
"It was chaos at the time and Bella was in a really bad way. It didn't look very good at all and I feared the worst.
"I stayed in touch with the owner afterwards and, when I heard how much it would be, I was very upset.
"Thankfully, the owner has managed to secure time to pay, which is fantastic. The vets are really kind to do that – I think it's wonderful.
"The idea that Bella might have had to be put down absolutely horrifies and upsets me.
"I was touched by what happened and, since then, I've rallied around to raise the money.
"I really want something positive to come out of something bad. It was a heart-breaking thing to see and something I don't think I'll forget.
"One of Bella's legs is completely shattered and the other is a more normal broken leg. But I think we can get a happy ending."
St Leonard Veterinary Centre, in Osmaston Road, has agreed to do the work, she said. She has already secured some donations and is encouraging others to donate.
Her husband, Michael, has been cleaning the cars of neighbours and Dawn plans a spot of car-booting next weekend.
She said: "Saint Leonard's has saved her life. The staff are fantastic and I can't thank them enough.
"Michael has done a brilliant job and we'll keep going. I'm a huge animal lover. I just want to help."
The owner of the dog said: "I'm incredibly grateful to the people who stopped to help, in particular Dawn, without whom I don't know how I would have got Bella to a vet.
"I'm trying to raise funds to cover the vets' bills, which are currently estimated at £4,500.
"However without the kind offer from a local vet, I would have had to consider putting down an otherwise healthy, beautiful young dog."
Anyone who would like to make a donation should email isaac.crowson@derbytelegraph.co.uk for details.
