by Mary Louis

mlouis@thekmgroup.co.uk

One hapless hound’s nasty fall off the sea wall at Westgate is a shaggy dog tail with a happy ending thanks to the kind people who went to help.

Eleven-year-old collie-cross Holly had come down on a day trip to Margate from Blackheath with owners Rob Porter and Chris Chambers when the accident happened.

They had been enjoying cycling along the Viking Trail with their pet, a Battersea Dog’s Home rescue, accompanying them on the lead mostly.

The trio had turned around near the car park beside the seafront at Westgate. Holly had been off the lead then and had inadvertently jumped off the sea wall, landing hard on a handrail on steps below, where she lay injured and whimpering in pain.

Her owners were unsure exactly where they were or who to call. A woman arrived and gave them a blanket to cover their pet. She told them to phone the police who put them in touch with Thanet Animal Hospital in Margate.

Ms Chambers said: “The lady stayed with us all the time. Another woman with her grown up son told us exactly where we were and another lady came up with a towel for Holly’s head while we were waiting for the ambulance.

“Poor Holly was making the most awful noise and there was blood coming out of her mouth. It was very distressing, she was in so much pain, I thought she would have to be put down.”

She was taken to the Margate veterinary hospital for x-rays which showed she had damage to her spine.

Her owners then faced the drive to the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire for specialist treatment. Holly was looked after by a neurology team, underwent an MRI scan and an operation to stabilise her spine and to put pins in her chest.

Ms Chambers said: “We are so grateful to all those people who came to help. Everybody was so kind. We want to say a big thank you. It was a horrible experience but great to meet so many people who were so kind and willing to help.

“Holly means everything to us, she is a huge part of our life.”

Holly is now making a good recovery and although she still cannot walk on her back legs without support, she is expected to get back full movement.