Dog broke its legs after scare near Dereham Road in Norwich

Deborah Pye, 57, was walking three-year-old Tommy in a park near her Dereham Road home when he was suddenly spooked by a tree surgeon using a chainsaw. 

Being of a "nervous disposition", the greyhound pulled hard at his lead and managed to slip free from it before running towards the road and disappearing between the cars. 

Deborah and Tommy (Image: Deborah Pye)

"My husband went after him in the car and I called the police who turned up shortly after and stopped traffic," Deborah said.

"When we found him, he hadn't been hit by a car, but he had fractured both of his front legs on the tarmac while trying to break his speed. It was tragic."

Tommy was immediately taken to Taverham Veterinary Hospital where vet Daniel Lloyd began surgery, fixing both of Tommy's broken paws.

Tommy was taken to Taverham Vets where he was treated for two fractures (Image: Deborah Pye)

"It was a real challenge for the vets but they excelled themselves," Deborah said. 

But she soon discovered that the bill for the treatment was in the tens of thousands of pounds. Tommy was insured, but most of the insurance had already been used up.  

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This is when Hayley Pattrick from the Norfolk Greyhound Rescue, where Tommy had been adopted, stepped in to help, paying around £6,000 towards the bill and helping to raise further funds through the community.

Hayley Pattrick and the staff at Norfolk Greyhound Rescue contributed to Tommy's vet bills (Image: Newsquest)

Hayley said: "We are happy to help anyone who is struggling to afford a vet. After all, it isn't for the person, it is to help an animal in need.

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"Last year we spent in the region of £80,000 on vet bills for dogs who needed dental treatments, amputations etc.

That's what makes us that little bit different to other rescues."

Tommy has since made a full recovery and is able to walk again (Image: Deborah Pye)

Tommy has since undergone extensive rehabilitation training which allows him to walk up to 40 minutes a day but Deborah says he now refuses to walk on the road.  

She added: "I can't express my gratitude enough for the staff at Taverham Vets, Hayley and Richard from Norfolk Greyhound Rescue and the greyhound community who gave us so much support while we were going through this stressful and challenging situation.

"Tommy has been signed off and he is now enjoying his life which could have been tragically cut short."