A mum has told of her terror after he dog was knocked down by a crazed driver who sped along a public footpath, leaving her worried for her kids lives.
Diana De Rosa said she was walking in Edinburgh on Sunday when the drama unfolded on a path between the city’s South Trinity Road and Wardie Road.
The 35-year-old says she was with her two children when the incident took place near to the cit’s Victoria Park at around 4.20pm yesterday.
Edinburgh Live reports the traumatised mum described hearing a car racing along the popular path and cycleway before she pushed her kids to safety behind her. Sadly her dog was ‘spooked’ by the noise and was hit by the speeding car.
Diana added two males with black balaclavas on the back of motorbikes had raced down the path minutes before the car devastatingly ran over the dog. Daisy, five, is a lurcher cross, and is now in danger of losing her back legs due to her severe injuries.
She said: “We were walking just a few metres from South Trinity Bridge on the path home to Granton. Daisy was just a few steps in front of me when we heard a car engine behind us. They were travelling at a very high speed with the engine roaring.
“I pushed the kids behind me towards the bushes but Daisy became spooked and I could not catch her before she was hit by the car. It all happened so suddenly.
“The kids could have been hit and who knows what would have happened. The driver did not slow down or even sound their horn. The impact made a massive sound and then the kids started screaming.
“I rushed over to Daisy to try to calm her down but she was bleeding badly from her back legs. I put my jumper over them to stop the bleeding and people came from the nearby park to help.
“I do not know if it was connected, but a few minutes earlier two males dressed in black on the back of motorbikes sped down the path with their faces covered.
“I was so shocked to see a car on the path as you think you will be safe. My kids are traumatised, they are scared to walk to school along the path and I’ve been unable to sleep or breathe all night worrying about Daisy.
“I keep reliving the moment in my head when I close my eyes.” Diana’s husband raced to the scene and quickly whisked Daisy away to the vets where she underwent treatment.
Vets warned the family the injuries were serious and their beloved pet may face amputations. Thankfully Daisy survived the night with the family still awaiting a detailed update.
Diana described Daisy as like a daughter and said her eight and 10 year-old boys adore her. She is described as super fun and energetic as well as being great with kids.
She said: “I feel sick and the kids are traumatised and afraid. We are usually running down the path and playing but now we don’t want to go down there.
“This path was supposed to be a place my children could play independently and safely with their dog. The kids are so shaken, they told me ‘mummy you saved our lives.’
“Daisy is being checked for internal bleeding but she could face amputations due to the damage to her tendons. They did not phone me during the night so I am hopeful. I hope the people driving the car will be caught.”
A witness was able to film the silver BMW after it had hit the De Rosa’s dog with the onlooker heard panting in shock during the clip. Diana’s children can also be heard distressed in the short video. Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
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