The life of a three-month-old Welsh Collie, which was in the car which collided with a barrier on the A40 at Ross-on-Wye on Thursday, February 25th, has been saved by Chase View Vets.

The woman driver had to be air lifted to Southmead Hospital with serious injuries following the collision. She had been driving through Ross because she had just picked up the new puppy and was taking it back to her home to Edinburgh. The owner had been intending to give her a great home in Scotland doing agility work.

In addition to the emergency services, including an air ambulance, Chase View Vets were also called to the incident and discovered the puppy in shock with a fractured femur (thigh bone).

Kate Kerry, one of the vets at Chase View told the Ross Gazette: “At this point we did not have any contact with the owner, didn’t know who she was, all we knew was that she was in critical condition in hospital. Putting the welfare of the puppy first we had three choices; amputate the fractured leg, euthanise the puppy or repair the fracture.”

Kate explained that when any of these procedures are usually carried out it is with the consent of the owner, after discussing all the options. She explained that as this was not possible they decided to repair the fracture, and carry the cost of the operation as a veterinary practice.

She told the Ross Gazette: “All that mattered was that the puppy was looked after and treated in the best way that we could. The puppy is the bravest, sweetest natured pup that you could ever to meet. The thought of putting her to sleep or amputating her leg was not an option to us.”

The collie is recovering from her injuries and has won the hearts of everyone at the practice, including the builders who are building the extension at Chase View.

Due to the driver’s own injuries she is unable to look after the dog so the pup has had to be rehomed and is doing really well. She will soon be settling in with her new owner, Gabriel, and her two Australian cattle dogs, Myrtle and Fennel.

Kate said: “She will have the best life with them. We decided to give her a name in keeping with the ‘herbs’ theme so she is officially called Dill, or Dilly Dogster as we’ve nicknamed her.”