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Search forPassers-by save dying dog with the kiss-of-life
Friday, August 01, 2008, 08:49
Yesterday the pet's overjoyed owner met one of the rescuers to say “thanks a million, you're a heroine.”
The drama began last Friday (July 25) evening after Waddon mum-of-three Simone Hughes went to pick up her son who was playing football in Warlingham.
She was accompanied by her two eight-month-old bichon frise pups Alfie and Charlie.
As they were driving home along Limpsfield Road, in Hamsey Green, she saw Alfie's collar had become caught on a car seat lever.
Mrs Hughes realised the more the dog was struggling to get free, the more he was strangling himself.
The 37-year-old, who lives in Coldharbour Road, said: “I made several attempts to free him but panic had set in.
“I feared Alfie was going to die and stopped the car to literally scream for help.”
Within seconds around half a dozen drivers and nearby residents had come to her aid.
Some went to the dog's rescue, others tried to calm the sobbing owner and one even dialled 999.
Passing Mayday Hospital casualty nurse Ann Kettyle pulled up and used her medical training to give the dog mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Mrs Kettyle, 48, who lives in Shirley, said: “Every time we tried to remove the dog's collar it screamed.
“By the time we eventually got the collar off the dog had stopped breathing and only had a slight pulse.
“I just used my training and treated the dog as if it was a child in distress.
“After I gave it five or so breaths, it started picking up.”
Another passer-by Cheryl Jack gave the poorly pooch heart massage.
Mrs Jack, a dog groomer from Sandhurst Way, Sanderstead, said: “I have only had to give heart massage to a dog once before.
“On this occasion his tongue had turned grey and he was in a terrible state.
“It was a lovely feeling when he started coming round.”
Alfie was given the all-clear at a Warlingham veterinary surgery soon afterwards.
Mrs Hughes, who met up with Mrs Jack yesterday to publicly thank her, said: “All those people who came to mine and Alfie's help are just wonderful.
“In Croydon there's a lot of doom and gloom about things like knife crime, but there are still very good people around willing to help others in distress.”
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