A heartbroken pensioner has called for measures to curb speeding (sic) cyclists on a path where his much-loved dog lost a leg after being struck by a bike.

Buddy, a 11-year-old Springer Spaniel, suffered a badly crushed ankle and later had a leg amputated.

Now, a fortnight after the operation, owner Bob Hutchinson said his “beautiful” dog is adjusting to life on three legs, but quickly gets tired.

READ MORE: Driver died after swerving to avoid dog and crashing into wall

He is furious the accident could have happened on a multi-user path on the outskirts of Bangor, Gwynedd, that is walked by dog walkers, families and mums with prams.

Bob said action is needed before someone is seriously hurt on a route that is being “terrorised” by high-speed cyclists.

After posting a photo of Buddy on Facebook, his comments sparked a huge debate about the rights of cyclists and the dangers they potentially pose to pedestrians and other road users.

Buddy was struck by a cyclist just over two weeks ago as his owner strolled out with two friends and three other dogs.

“He was just ahead of me, slightly to my right, when the cyclist zoomed past me,” said Bob, 74, who lives on the Maesgeirchen estate next to the path.

“We had no idea he was coming. When he hit Buddy, the dog yelped loudly.

“The cyclist dismounted and there was an altercation – he claimed he’d rung his bell, but none of us heard it.”

Buddy was able to limp home with Bob, a retired driver of plant machinery. Two days later, Buddy was again yelping in pain, unable to put weight on his damaged leg.

After a trip to the vets, an x-ray revealed a lower leg fracture and Bob was given three options – to have Buddy put down, to have an operation or to remove his leg.

“They told me the operation would have to take place elsewhere and it might not work,” said Bob.

“I was worried about long-term problems and I didn’t want him to suffer, so I went for amputation.

“When the limb was removed, the vet said the ankle joint was so badly shattered, an operation wouldn’t have succeeded anyway.”
As Buddy convalesced, Bob turned his attention to the path where the accident happened.

The route forms the start of the Ogwen Trail which, in recent years, has become increasingly popular with cyclists, forming part of the National Cycle Network’s Route 82.

Running from Bangor dock out past Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen, it has been labeled one of the finest cycle trails in North Wales.

However Bob has been using the path regularly since 1971 after it was reclaimed from a former slate rail track that ran from Penrhyn Quarry to Bangor docks.

Bob’s complains some cyclists feel they take precedence on the path, especially since it was tarmacked some 20 years ago.

“For many walkers, it’s become a frightening experience,” he said.

“A majority of cyclists are courteous but some are incredibly arrogant.

“From Glasinfryn to Bangor Dock it’s all downhill all the way and on some sections, cyclists can reach speeds of 30-40mph.

“Some of them use it as a race track. It’s crazy and it’s frightening.

If they’re going at the speed, you’ve no time to react and often you won’t even hear them coming.

“It’s beautiful around here, with woods at the side of the path, but if children run out when a cyclist is coming, there could be a really serious accident.”

Bob has previously complained to Gwynedd Council about the path, which is open to horse riders as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

He would like to see a bylaw adopted compelling cyclists to have insurance and some form of identification. He now plans to contact his MP.

“When these cyclists zoom pass you, before you know it they have gone,” he said.

“Unless they’re local, there’s no way you’ll ever find out who they are.”
Buddy still cuts a fine figure but the previous life he enjoyed has been curtailed.

Bob’s moving Facebook post prompted hundreds of responses, many from people sharing similar stories on the Lon Ogwen path and others.

One woman told how she is too scared to use the path anymore after her three-year-old child was nearly “killed” by a cyclist.

A dog walker said she was knocked over by a cyclist on a multi-user path in Llanddulas, Conwy.

“No warning – the wind behind the cyclists – and bang......right into me as I went to pull my dog out of the way,” she said.

“The cyclist hit my left side and landed on top of me. Tyre marks remained on my leg for three-and-a-half weeks. Bruised and battered and aching for months.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-who-leg-amputated-after-23340730#comments-wrapper

On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 5:25:20 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

This piece caught my eye in a link to this story.

Driver died after swerving to avoid dog and crashing into wall - KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD!

A 93-year-old man died six weeks after he crashed his car i to a stone wall when he swerved to avoid hitting a dog, an inquest has heard.

Neil Blythe Airey, from Tywyn, was driving his red Volkswagen UP along the A493 towards Llwyngwril in Gwynedd on August 2, 2021, shortly before 11am when he saw a dog run into the road from the direction of Waenfach caravan park.

The inquest into his death held in Caernarfon on March 2 heard how the retired master mariner managed to get out of the vehicle with the help of a passerby, but was taken to Ysbyty Bronglais in Aberystwyth after complaining of pains in his chest and back.

Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple rib fractures and he was transferred to the trauma unit at Cardiff University Hospital.

On August 11 he was then transferred to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in order to be closer to his family, who live over the border in Chester.

In a statement read out during the inquest his daughter, Jennifer Gibson, said: "By the end of August I noticed a decline in him.

"He wanted to be moved to a home near me in Chester.

"He repeatedly told me that he had swerved to avoid a dog that run out of caravan park and had hit a wall."

You can pay tribute to Mr Airey using our comments section below.

She added that she had always known him as a careful driver who would not have bee travelling at great speed.

"He had a wonderful life travelling around the world, he was the senior captain of the company and visited lots of different places in his lifetime."

A report written by North Wales Police confirmed there were no mechanical defects with the vehicle and the weather conditions would not have contributed to the accident.

It said: "There were no known witnesses to the incident but he was helped from the car by a member of the public.

"There was extensive damage to vehicle and it had rebounded into the middle of carriageway, becoming stationary across both lanes.
Why journalists cover inquests and why it's crucial that we do

Reporting on an inquest can be one of the hardest types of stories a journalist can write.

More often than not, they are emotionally charged proceedings attended by grief-stricken people who are desperate for answers.

Sometimes, inquests can seem quite clinical due to a coroner’s need to remain impartial and level-headed so that they can draw a conclusion from desperately sad events.

As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one, the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others’ lives.

Families are often surprised - and sometimes angry - when they see a reporter in attendance.

Understandably they worry the nature of their loved one’s death will be sensationalised and that a news story will forever tarnish their memory.

Responsible and ethically minded journalists will do what they can to report inquests sensitively, while not shying away from the often upsetting facts.

It is vital that the public don’t forget that inquests are a type of judicial inquiry; they are after all held in a coroner’s court.

The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of ‘open justice’.

But in doing so journalists must follow the guidance provided by the Independent Press Standards Organistion and set out in Editors’ Code of Conduct.

It’s a journalist’s duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret.

An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person’s death.

But most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening.

Inquests are not criminal courts - there is no prosecution or defence - they are fact-finding tribunals which seek to answer four key questions:

Who is the person who died?
Where did they die?
When did they die?
How did they die?

They do not apportion blame.

Once these questions are answered a coroner will be able to record a conclusion.

The wider lessons that can be learned from an inquest can have far-reaching consequences - but if journalists do not attend them how can the public be made aware?

The harsh reality is they can’t. Coroners often do not publish the results of an inquest.

Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system - and numerous others who need to answer vital questions - is not held to account.

Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide.

Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest.

Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.

Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected.

However, as has been seen by many brilliant campaigns run by newspapers and websites up and down the country, the input of a person’s family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others.

Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered, debates unargued and lives lost.

"The driver, who was in the vehicle alone, was injured but conscious and able to communicate.

"He repeated that the cause was that he had swerved to avoid a dog.

"There is no evidence to suggest that he was driving at excess speed or in a dangerous manner."

Sadly, Mr Airey's condition deteriorated and he passed away at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on September 18 - almost seven weeks after the incident.

Concluding that Mr Airey died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision, acting senior coroner Katie Sutherland said: "Despite treatment following the collision on August 2, he sadly died from pneumonia due to rib and sternum fractures caused by a road traffic collision."

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543

On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 17:25:20 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> A heartbroken pensioner has called for measures to curb speeding (sic) cyclists on a path where his much-loved dog lost a leg after being struck by a bike.
>
> Buddy, a 11-year-old Springer Spaniel, suffered a badly crushed ankle and later had a leg amputated.
>
> Now, a fortnight after the operation, owner Bob Hutchinson said his “beautiful” dog is adjusting to life on three legs, but quickly gets tired.
>
> READ MORE: Driver died after swerving to avoid dog and crashing into wall
>
> He is furious the accident could have happened on a multi-user path on the outskirts of Bangor, Gwynedd, that is walked by dog walkers, families and mums with prams.
>
> Bob said action is needed before someone is seriously hurt on a route that is being “terrorised” by high-speed cyclists.
>
> After posting a photo of Buddy on Facebook, his comments sparked a huge debate about the rights of cyclists and the dangers they potentially pose to pedestrians and other road users.
>
> Buddy was struck by a cyclist just over two weeks ago as his owner strolled out with two friends and three other dogs.
>
> “He was just ahead of me, slightly to my right, when the cyclist zoomed past me,” said Bob, 74, who lives on the Maesgeirchen estate next to the path.
>
> “We had no idea he was coming. When he hit Buddy, the dog yelped loudly.
>
> “The cyclist dismounted and there was an altercation – he claimed he’d rung his bell, but none of us heard it.”
>
> Buddy was able to limp home with Bob, a retired driver of plant machinery.. Two days later, Buddy was again yelping in pain, unable to put weight on his damaged leg.
>
> After a trip to the vets, an x-ray revealed a lower leg fracture and Bob was given three options – to have Buddy put down, to have an operation or to remove his leg.
>
> “They told me the operation would have to take place elsewhere and it might not work,” said Bob.
>
> “I was worried about long-term problems and I didn’t want him to suffer, so I went for amputation.
>
> “When the limb was removed, the vet said the ankle joint was so badly shattered, an operation wouldn’t have succeeded anyway.”
> As Buddy convalesced, Bob turned his attention to the path where the accident happened.
>
> The route forms the start of the Ogwen Trail which, in recent years, has become increasingly popular with cyclists, forming part of the National Cycle Network’s Route 82.
>
> Running from Bangor dock out past Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen, it has been labeled one of the finest cycle trails in North Wales.
>
> However Bob has been using the path regularly since 1971 after it was reclaimed from a former slate rail track that ran from Penrhyn Quarry to Bangor docks.
>
> Bob’s complains some cyclists feel they take precedence on the path, especially since it was tarmacked some 20 years ago.
>
> “For many walkers, it’s become a frightening experience,” he said.
>
> “A majority of cyclists are courteous but some are incredibly arrogant.
>
> “From Glasinfryn to Bangor Dock it’s all downhill all the way and on some sections, cyclists can reach speeds of 30-40mph.
>
> “Some of them use it as a race track. It’s crazy and it’s frightening.
>
> If they’re going at the speed, you’ve no time to react and often you won’t even hear them coming.
>
> “It’s beautiful around here, with woods at the side of the path, but if children run out when a cyclist is coming, there could be a really serious accident.”
>
> Bob has previously complained to Gwynedd Council about the path, which is open to horse riders as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
>
> He would like to see a bylaw adopted compelling cyclists to have insurance and some form of identification. He now plans to contact his MP.
>
> “When these cyclists zoom pass you, before you know it they have gone,” he said.
>
> “Unless they’re local, there’s no way you’ll ever find out who they are.”
> Buddy still cuts a fine figure but the previous life he enjoyed has been curtailed.
>
> Bob’s moving Facebook post prompted hundreds of responses, many from people sharing similar stories on the Lon Ogwen path and others.
>
> One woman told how she is too scared to use the path anymore after her three-year-old child was nearly “killed” by a cyclist.
>
> A dog walker said she was knocked over by a cyclist on a multi-user path in Llanddulas, Conwy.
>
> “No warning – the wind behind the cyclists – and bang......right into me as I went to pull my dog out of the way,” she said.
>
> “The cyclist hit my left side and landed on top of me. Tyre marks remained on my leg for three-and-a-half weeks. Bruised and battered and aching for months.
>
> https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-who-leg-amputated-after-23340730#comments-wrapper

Was the dog wearing a helmet?

On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:10:47 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:

> >
> > https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-who-leg-amputated-after-23340730#comments-wrapper
> Was the dog wearing a helmet?

Here he is:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/26/e8/2226e8b593170b8baba2204c42de829f.jpg

On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 20:16:51 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:10:47 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
>
> > >
> > > https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-who-leg-amputated-after-23340730#comments-wrapper
> > Was the dog wearing a helmet?
> Here he is:
> https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/26/e8/2226e8b593170b8baba2204c42de829f.jpg

More importantly did the owner who failed to keep the dog under control have liability insurance?

Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.

On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.

This dog actually killed a car driver.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543

On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
>
> > Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.
> This dog actually killed a car driver.
>
> https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543

This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.

Maybe we should bring back dog licences.

On 11/03/2022 05:17, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:

>>> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.

>> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543>

> This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.

LEARN TO READ

"Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous
injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple
rib fractures."

--
Spike

On Friday, March 11, 2022 at 5:17:42 AM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
> >
> > > Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.
> > This dog actually killed a car driver.
> >
> > https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543
> This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.

One of these?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kSNVKrktKUQ/ShMeZqy03oI/AAAAAAAADgA/EtMTMQSK2xs/s400/Motoring+Helmet+face.jpg

On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 09:41:21 UTC, Spike wrote:
> On 11/03/2022 05:17, Mike Collins wrote:
> > On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> >> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
>
> >>> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.
> >> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543>
>
> > This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.
> LEARN TO READ
> "Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous
> injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple
> rib fractures."
>
> --
> Spike

Cycle helmets prevent all injuries according to TR&T.

On 11/03/2022 11:44, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 09:41:21 UTC, Spike wrote:
>> On 11/03/2022 05:17, Mike Collins wrote:
>>> On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:

>>>>> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.

>>>> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543>

>>> This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.

>> LEARN TO READ

>> "Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous
>> injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple
>> rib fractures."

> Cycle helmets prevent all injuries according to TR&T.

Now you're off with the fairies.

--
Spike

On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 12:47:27 UTC, Spike wrote:
> On 11/03/2022 11:44, Mike Collins wrote:
> > On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 09:41:21 UTC, Spike wrote:
> >> On 11/03/2022 05:17, Mike Collins wrote:
> >>> On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> >>>> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
>
> >>>>> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.
>
> >>>> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543>
>
> >>> This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.
>
> >> LEARN TO READ
>
> >> "Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous
> >> injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple
> >> rib fractures."
> > Cycle helmets prevent all injuries according to TR&T.
> Now you're off with the fairies.
>
>
> --
> Spike

TR&T made up the statistics, not me.

On 11/03/2022 13:00, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 12:47:27 UTC, Spike wrote:
>> On 11/03/2022 11:44, Mike Collins wrote:
>>> On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 09:41:21 UTC, Spike wrote:
>>>> On 11/03/2022 05:17, Mike Collins wrote:
>>>>> On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>>>> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:

>>>>>>> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.

>>>>>> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543>

>>>>> This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.

>>>> LEARN TO READ

>>>> "Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous
>>>> injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple
>>>> rib fractures."

>>> Cycle helmets prevent all injuries according to TR&T.

>> Now you're off with the fairies.

> TR&T made up the statistics, not me.

Did you mean to say that, or did it just slip out?

--
Spike

On Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:44:32 AM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:

> Cycle helmets prevent all injuries according to TR&T.

Across the world the deaths of a number of young children have been attributed to their wearing of cycle helmets. The most usual cause of death has been strangulation.The children were not cycling when the tragedies occurred, but it is common for children at play to swap between activities without changing what they wear.

Four pathologists writing in The Medical Journal of Australia say that "Accidental hanging is still occurring among young children who wear bicycle helmets while engaging in activities other than bicycle riding. … Although such deaths are rare, it is important for parents and child carers to ensure that bicycle helmets are only worn by children for their intended purpose." (Byard, Cala, Ritchey and Woodford, 2011)

In absolute terms, the risk of death through wearing a helmet is very small.. The information is significant mainly in the context that it is the only unambiguous evidence showing any relationship between fatalities and cycle helmet use. Fatalities are recorded comprehensively and accurately in most countries, but there is no statistically reliable evidence across any population of fewer deaths as helmet use has increased. A doctor in Sweden lamented, with regard to strangulations in that country and its child helmet law, "We know we have killed, but we can't show we have saved anyone". (Sweden, 1)

https://www.cyclehelmets.org/1227.html

On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 14:53:58 UTC, Spike wrote:
> On 11/03/2022 13:00, Mike Collins wrote:
> > On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 12:47:27 UTC, Spike wrote:
> >> On 11/03/2022 11:44, Mike Collins wrote:
> >>> On Friday, 11 March 2022 at 09:41:21 UTC, Spike wrote:
> >>>> On 11/03/2022 05:17, Mike Collins wrote:
> >>>>> On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 21:32:48 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> >>>>>> On Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:53:35 PM UTC, Mike Collins wrote:
>
> >>>>>>> Dog owners roam our streets without having passed any sort of test of dog handling and their dogs do not have to take an annual paw test or pay pavement tax.
>
> >>>>>> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/driver-died-after-swerving-avoid-23274543>
>
> >>>>> This would not have happened if the car driver was wearing a helmet.
>
> >>>> LEARN TO READ
>
> >>>> "Doctors discovered that Mr Airey, a father-of-two, had numerous
> >>>> injuries including a fractured sternum, a spinal fracture and multiple
> >>>> rib fractures."
>
> >>> Cycle helmets prevent all injuries according to TR&T.
>
> >> Now you're off with the fairies.
> > TR&T made up the statistics, not me.
> Did you mean to say that, or did it just slip out?
>
> --
> Spike

Helmet Priests always cite TR&T even though it was conclusion led 'research'.