With more than $2,200 in vet bills and more bills to come, Ladner resident Doug Atkinson and his partner Tim McFee have turned to social media for help after their dog was struck by a car Friday night.
Bunker, a 14-year-old Boston terrier, was hit near the Otter Co-op on Ladner Trunk Road. According to a witness, the driver never stopped after he struck Bunker.
“I’m just shocked that the driver didn’t stop,” said Atkinson. “I understand an accident. We are always concerned about traffic when Bunker is out playing, but to hit a dog and then not stop, it is just heartbreaking.”
The dog owners have had Bunker since he was a puppy. He loves to run and chase after balls and often goes on walk-a-bouts in their Holly Park Drive neighbourhood, sometimes ending up in the community garden in Holly Park across the street from their home. After calling for him Friday night with no luck, a gentleman drove up to their house with Bunker about 20 minutes later.
“Bunker always has a collar, tag and is licenced. When he drove up and told us what happened and we saw that Bunker was in shock with his broken leg dangling we just couldn’t believe it,” Atkinson recalled. “Our regular vet is away, so we are dealing with the emergency hospital. We have already paid out $2,200 in two days. Our credit cards are tapped out, and the rent is due, so I turned to the gofundmepage for help.”
As of Tuesday morning the page at: https://www.gofundme.com/help-fund-bunkers-leg-surgery had raised more than $1,800.
“I’ve also reached out to other Facebook groups and other friends for support. Everyone has been so great, but we need the money to ensure that we can get Bunker fixed up and to bring him home. This is the first time that we have ever had an emergency with him. We miss him at home and his energy and excitement.”
