community, Busselton, Percy Wild, Cycling, Bike, Dog, Accident

Busselton resident Percy Wild has a long road to recovery after he was knocked off his bike when a dog collided with him on a bike path. Mr Wild who cycled everyday with his wife said the dog which hit him was off its leash and running towards the beach when the accident happened. He is now recovering in hospital with a fractured leg just below his hip, it is expected to take more than six weeks to heal. Mr Wild said just before the accident he was riding along and saw a flash in the corner of his eye when the dog hit the front wheel of his bike. “My bike spun, I went straight down and was on the ground, I could not move or anything,” he said. “My wife was coming behind me, when she got to me some people had gathered around and arranged for an ambulance.” Mr Wild said the dog owner was there but he did not actually see him because he was on the ground. “He asked if I was alright, I said no and told him his dog should have been on a lead,” he said. “The owner replied, it was a dog beach where the accident happened, but it was not the beach at all, it was a footpath on the sidewalk. “I think he might have let the dog off the lead to run to the beach.” Mr Wild said his accident was one of those things that should be brought to people’s attention so dog owners kept their pets on a lead around bicycle paths. “When people have their dogs off a lead you never quite know where the dog will go, a dog will just do what a dog has to do,” he said. “I am laid up now at 83 years old in the Busselton Health Campus, I do not want to be here.” Mr Wild said it was a red dog which collided with him, he believes it had a white nose and blue eyes and would be surprised if the dog was not injured as well. The City of Busselton is still investigating the incident and is, at this stage, unable to identify the dog owner. The city would appreciate the owner of the dog to come forward or if anyone witnessed the incident, to please contact the city directly on 08 9781 0444.

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