Hero dog saves owner from motorbike mugger in Willenhall park
A hero dog came to the rescue of his owner and jumped in the way of a motorbike during a suspected mugging attempt in a Willenhall park.
Ivor James, 73, was out walking his two-year-old foster dog Monty in Willenhall Memorial Park when he spotted a motorbike circling nearby.
Suddenly the bike turned and was headed straight for Mr James until Staffordshire bull terrier cross Monty jumped into its path and took the full force of the collision.
Monty ended up seriously hurt, struggling to walk and with a fracture above his jaw, while Ivor escaped with minor injuries after only being clipped by the bike.
The suspected mugging attempt happened at around 10pm on Sunday, April 26.
Ivor's son Simon James has now set up a fundraising page to pay for Monty's treatment and thank the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals who cared for Monty after the incident.
Simon explained: "My dad decided to go for a walk with Monty over the park, when it was a bit quieter. He spotted a motorcycle circling nearby and then it took off. But suddenly it came charging towards him on the path.
"The police suspect they were trying to mug him, but Monty decided to protect my dad and got in the motorcycle's way.
"Monty got hit and ended up badly injured – and he helped prevent what could have been a head-on collision with my dad who escaped with minor injuries by getting clipped.
"Luckily, my dad didn't get mugged and managed to call for help. He was on a narrow, tree-lined path in the park – heartbroken all on his own. All my dad cared about was his dog.
"They have only been together a few weeks and built up such a bond. Monty has been some company for my parents during the lockdown."
Monty was rushed to an emergency vets where it seemed touch and go for a while.
Now he has started to walk when he is guided by someone holding his collar but may need an MRI scan and further treatment.
Simon added: "Monty is getting there now – he can just about walk, but he might need an MRI. He was taken to the PDSA, so any funds raised will go towards them and Monty's recovery.
"I just want to warn other park users to be aware of motorbikes and what happened. If they had some sort of barriers in and out of the park, this probably wouldn't have happened. I believe this is not the first time it has happened.
"I would encourage people to donate – with all these deaths from the virus it is a bit of an uplifting story despite what happened to Monty."
A West Midlands Police said: "We were alerted to a collision between a motorbike and a pedestrian and his dog in Willenhall Memorial Park, Pinson Road, Willenhall, which happened on Sunday, April 26, just before 10:30pm.
"The dog suffered injuries which required vet treatment.
"Unfortunately, as there are no known witnesses or CCTV, we are unable to progress the investigation any further at this stage.
"However, we’d ask anyone who may have any information, however small it may seem, to get in touch with us."
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-a-hero-dogs-vet-bills. So far more than £500 has been raised.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting log number 4102 of April 26.
