Dark nights warning

THE RISK of dogs becoming involved in road traffic accidents, during the winter, increases by 8% over accidents during the summer, according to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, (PDSA).
Additionally, due to the nature of their injuries, the average cost of veterinary treatment for dogs involved in RTAs can be at least 50% higher than in the summer, averaging over £1,100.

Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon warns: ‘During the winter, victims of road traffic accidents are one of the most common causes of trauma we see at PDSA PetAid hospitals.

‘Because it's dark so early, many pet owners won't have even seen the accident happen and so don't realise their dog or cat has been hit by a car, and so are at a loss when their pet returns home looking unsteady on their feet. Often injuries are hidden or impossible to detect without a veterinary inspection; such as bruises buried beneath layers of fur or internal injuries. These are the pets we do see, but sadly, in many cases, a pet may just crawl away and never be seen again.’