A COUPLE are appealing for information after their pet Labrador was seriously hurt in a hit and run incident.

Sarah and her husband Gavin Tagg, from Llancayo, near Usk, were in America when their beloved pet Blaze was left in agony for dead in the middle of a road.

On Wednesday, December 17 at around 5.40pm, the couple's two pet black Labrador dogs Max and Blaze were taken into their paddock for an evening walk. Unfortunately they shot off out of sight, and it was thought they may have slipped through a hedge into a neighbouring field. The family went looking for, and calling out to, Max and Blaze in the neighbouring fields.

At around 6.30pm Sarah's parents received a phone call from Usk Vets, to say that Blaze had been involved in a hit and run accident and was seriously injured.

Debbie Shukman had been driving home from Abergavenny on the B4598 to Usk when at around 5.50pm she stopped behind a silver Mercedes just outside the 30 MPH sign into Usk.  

Two men had already stopped; one man was driving a van towards Abergavenny on the other side of the road, who had stopped traffic, and the Mercedes driver had stopped in the other direction.  

"Blaze had been run over and left for dead, in the middle of the road. Whoever it was who had hit her had simply disappeared without reporting the accident as required by law. Without hesitating, and with the help of the other two gentlemen, one of whom gave up his green security ribbon to tie Blaze's muzzle for safety, Debbie used some towels and gently lifted Blaze into her car, and took her immediately to Usk Vets. "Fortunately the Vets were still open and Blaze was immediately attended to by vet Philip Huxley. This prompt and caring action saved Blaze's life. The gentleman in the van, who was wearing a green fluorescent highways jacket, said he may have seen the hit-and-run driver responsible for the incident, speeding away, when he got to the scene at about 5.48pm."

The family are appealing for the men to come forward with any information, or for anyone with any information relating to the incident.

"Failure to stop and report a hit and run accident involving a dog is in fact a crime under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act. Our dogs are so important to our family. They have a huge security role in the house, especially as my parents are both elderly and one is wheelchair-bound with Multiple Sclerosis, and at the same time both are very loving and protective.  

"Once a few years ago, my parents were burgled at night, the burglar, over 6'2" was hiding next to my mum's side of the bed. Luckily, my dad thought he heard some noises, realised a light which was normally left on had been switched off, and he chased the man out. The police came quickly, the man got into his car, turned the car over on Chain Bridge and ran for two miles. Two miles later, a German Shepherd caught up and bit the offender, and he was apprehended. The police then recommended we get "large black dogs" of any breed for our own security.

"Even when we're on our own in the house, we're not really on our own as Max and Blaze are with us and would alert us to and scare off any intruder. We are so grateful that Blaze is alive, but it is only thanks to Debbie and the two gents who were kind enough to stop and help," said Mrs Tagg.

Soon after Blaze went to Usk Vets, she had to be taken to a specialist surgeon at Risca Vets, so he could operate on her leg.  She suffered damage to her lung, a broken femur and pelvis. "Remarkably, she is currently making a very good recovery but needs round-the-clock care," she added. Anyone with information should call 07940 571980 or 01291 672995.