Dog owner, Christine Eynon, who lost one of her beloved pets in a terrible incident in Ross-on-Wye, is hoping that telling her story will stop other owners facing the same terrible loss.

Christine owned three dogs, including one which has only got three legs. As all the dogs enjoy swimming in the River Wye Christine regularly parked in the lay-by at Wilton Bridge.

She kept the dogs tied by their leads to the car but on this occasion they may have seen something to chase and as the two fit dogs jumped out of the car their ties became loose.

Christine told the Ross Gazette “My dogs are always tied by their leads to the hinges of my boot when travelling. However on May 16th as I opened the boot they must have seen a cat or a squirrel on the bridge, and being 30 kilos each, somehow managed to pull their ties free and were gone. It happened in an instant.”

Christine explained that the consequences have been horrendous. The dogs were hit by a car and the couple driving have also been extremely distressed by the incident.

One of the dogs, Willow, died on the pavement and has since been cremated. Holly is now doing well but she suffered concussion, cuts and bruises and was very traumatised. Luckily the three-legged dog was not involved.

Christine spoke to the Gazette because “I just don’t want anyone else to go through what I have, since and during that awful night.

“I have seen many people pull in here to take their pets a walk. I have seen others walking the river bank very close by.

“Can I urge you lovely dog owners to go elsewhere? It only takes a cat, squirrel or rabbit to appear and life changes in an instant and I can assure you – not for the better.”