The owner of a dog which plunged 40 feet from a cliff onto rocks has made an emotional appeal for help to raise £4,000 to save her pet’s life.
Frank, a three-year-old boxer-mastiff cross, suffered serious injuries near Clare Bancroft’s Rosehearty home last month – and needs expensive paw surgery.
Mrs Bancroft is unsure why the usually calm family pet suddenly bolted off the ledge but believes he may have been spooked by a gull.
After extensive tests run by vets in Peterhead and Aberdeen, it has been revealed that Frank has severely damaged ligaments in both front legs.
Without surgery to insert metal plates in his paws, the pooch will suffer pain whenever he tries to stand and faces being put down.
Despite having insurance for the pet, Mrs Bancroft and her husband Ian need to raise an additional £4,000 to cover the treatment.
She is now desperately appealing for help.
“It was a great afternoon,” Mrs Bancroft said last night. “We live on the coast in Rosehearty and there are two coves with beaches near us. It’s a gentle path down but near it is a sheer cliff and at the bottom are big, hard rocks.
“We were all going in the right direction but then Frank just went – I’ve a feeling he saw a seagull. He ran right past us and I heard the most blood-curdling scream. I feel sick just talking about it.”
She said she has struck a payment plan deal with the vet to cover the medical bills – which amount to nearly £10,000. For the remainder of the cash Clare’s twin daughters Jasmine and Tegan set up an online fundraising page.
“It’s gradually coming in and we’re currently just eating beans on toast,” she added. “There’s not a chance we would dream of putting Frank down.
“He’s full of life and wants to play. He has the most amazing temperament.”
To donate to Frank’s treatment, visit: www.gofundme.com/my-dog-needs-to-be-saved
