Cardiff dog in hit and run horror helps give gift of life this Christmas

22 December 2017

A dog from Llanrumney that needed life-saving surgery after being hit by a car has inspired a national fundraising campaign.

Two-year-old crossbreed Bailey was left with broken front legs when her regular walk in the park ended in horror after a car left the road and hit her, before driving off.

Now recovering, Bailey’s story has featured in PDSA’s Christmas appeal, after the charity’s vets and nurses treated her extensive injuries.

PDSA Marketing Manager, Gaynor Willmott, said: “Like many pets, Bailey is at the centre of her family’s life. At PDSA, our vets and nurses work tirelessly to help sick and injured pets and keep them with their families, where they belong. So this year our Christmas fundraising campaign is all about how precious that bond is.

“Thankfully, Bailey will be back at home with her family this Christmas, but during the festive season, our vets and nurses will see around 50,000 pets who rely on us for treatment. We can only provide that care thanks to donations, so our Christmas appeal is vital to making sure we can be there to help those pets when tragedy strikes.”

Bailey’s owner Chantelle (27) said: “It was a very worrying time for all of us. My youngest son, Oliver-James (4) is very close to Bailey. They do everything together and have been inseparable since we got her. I’m so grateful to PDSA for their amazing work and hope that by telling Bailey’s story, people will donate to help this amazing charity.”

Bailey has featured in PDSA’s Christmas fundraising packs, sent to the charity’s supporters across the UK. She also inspired the charity’s TV advert, which, as Bailey was still recovering from her injuries at the time of filming, tells the similar story of a dog called Cooper.

Gaynor added: “We were really shocked and saddened to hear about what happened to Bailey. She was the innocent victim of a hit and run but, thanks to the generosity of animal lovers, PDSA was there for her in her hour of need. We’re grateful to Chantelle for allowing us to try and turn what happened to Bailey into a positive and help raise funds so we can treat other poorly pets just like her.”

To support PDSA’s Christmas appeal go to www.saveastar.co.uk or call 0800 0199 166

Bailey’s Story

Bailey’s owner, Chantelle, said: “The car came out of the blue all of a sudden, hit Bailey and just drove off. She was very distressed and in a lot of pain so I took her to PDSA straight away.”

On arrival, Bailey was suffering from shock and given fluids to stabilise her condition. X-rays revealed that one of Bailey’s legs was badly damaged with multiple fractures, and she needed rods and a steel plate to repair the damage. Her other leg was also broken and needed to be placed in a cast. The intricate operation on her legs took PDSA’s veterinary team over three hours.

Karen Jones, Nurse Team Leader at PDSA’s Pet Hospital in Cardiff, The Marian and Christina Ionescu Centre, said: “Bailey had severe injuries to her front legs that required extensive surgery. It was touch and go whether we could save her right leg.”

Following surgery, Bailey spent three days recovering at PDSA’s Pet Hospital. For Chantelle and her three young children, it was a worrying time.

Chantelle said: “I explained to the children that Bailey was at the ‘doggy doctors’. They were really worried, we all were. I did my best to explain that Bailey wasn’t very well, but the children kept asking where she was. The house seemed so quiet without her:”

After three days being cared for by PDSA’s vets and nurses, Bailey was able to return home to her family, who were all eager to see her. She was placed on strict rest to help her broken bones to mend. Over the coming weeks and months, Bailey frequently returned to PDSA to check on her progress and change her dressings.

Karen added: “Thankfully Bailey has youth on her side and her bones mended exceptionally well and she will be enjoying a wonderful Christmas back at home with her family.”

Chantelle concluded: “Bailey is one of the family. As a full-time mum to three children, there’s no way that I could have afforded the treatment she needed, so I don’t know what I would have done without PDSA. I can’t thank the vets and nurses enough, they have been absolutely fantastic and have done so much for Bailey.”