Medics race to save puppy kicked by horse

MEDITECH paramedics received an unusual call requesting assistance for a local dog which was kicked in the head by a horse in Botha’s Hill earlier today.

Michelle Smith, director of Meditech said the team hurried to transfer the Pitbull cross with a Staffie from the Winston Park Vet to the Westville Veterinary Hospital, where vets with specialised training in the treatment of head trauma were available to render more advanced measures.

The owner of the dog, Louise Smith, said her 11-month-old pup, Loki, was playing at a friend’s (Storme Illingworth), house and saw a horse outside the gate. Loki was curious as he didn’t like horses and ran out of the gate and growled at the horse as he approached it. The horse got a fright and kicked him in the head.

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Illingworth panicked when she saw blood and a bone protruding from Loki’s swollen head and immediately rushed him to the Winston Park Vet. Loki was stabilised but believed to have suffered fractures to the skull and around the eye. He was in a bad condition and needed to be transferred to Westville Veterinary Hospital immediately.

“The dog will be kept for observation at the Westville Veterinary Hospital until Monday. After the swelling is gone down, new x-rays will be done and then a decision will be made to determine if he would need surgery or not,” said Smith.

Louise said: “It was a terrible incident and I hope and pray for a speedy recovery for my little boy.”