A dog owner thought his beloved puppy had been killed when it was struck by a cyclist in a park in Fulham on Saturday (June 13).
Dylan Clements watched in horror as the rider, a man, first ignored his warning to slow down before crashing into 16-week-old Henri, running over his body and then pedalling away.
The travel agent said the Cavalier King Charles spaniel cross pug screamed in agony and that he thought his dog had been fatally injured.
Now he wants to warn other dog owners and parents of little children to be wary when in parks.
The 31-year-old, from Fulham Palace Road, said: “It was terrible. He’s so little and I thought he was going to die.”
Henri was off his lead and with another dog, at around 8.30am in Parsons Green, when Dylan saw the speeding cyclist.
He said: “I could see he was approaching quite fast and I called for him to slow down. But he just looked at me and ignored me.”
On collision he said the first wheel ran over Henri’s body, with the second wheel catching his paw. He said: “The dog was screaming like anything. I saw the cyclist go right over the middle of this tiny dog’s body.
“I thought he had suffered internal injuries, I thought his organs had been crushed.”
A passing Police Community Support Officer also witnessed the incident and gave chase along with Dylan after the cyclist, who had failed to stop, made his escape through Parsons Green Lane. Unfortunately they were unable to catch him.
Dylan then ran to nearby Molly and Max Veterinary Practice where staff rushed out to help the stricken animal.
When he returned to his dog, passers-by were comforting him. Dylan said: “I was distraught at this stage as I didn’t know if Henri was alive or dead.
“They took him in but couldn’t tell me straight away what was wrong. They didn’t know whether his organs were damaged and if he would have to be put down. It was an agonising wait.”
Tests revealed he had suffered a broken rib and possible fractured paw, but no serious internal problems.
Henri was eventually taken to a veterinary hospital in Wimbledon where he stayed overnight to receive treatment, before returning home on Sunday.
“When I saw him for the first time at the hospital I couldn’t stop crying, my usually happy puppy looked so sad,” Dylan said. “We took him home and he got a lot better over Sunday giving lots of hugs and interacting with me more. He’s sore and can only walk a couple of metres away from his bed.”
Dylan now intends to report the incident to the police: “I wish the cyclist just stopped and apologised, I just want an apology. I gave the cyclist plenty of warning to break or swerve him.
“I want the community to be aware that some cyclists like to use the paths around here as speedways, and to protect their dogs and children so they don’t go through the same upset as I have.”
Police confirmed an incident had been reported by a PCSO shortly before 9am that morning.
