A volunteer at the Rimouski Animal Services Center had quite a scare last Monday when a dog he was walking escaped and was hit by a driver.
Denis Marquis has been giving his time to the organization for several weeks. He is one of the volunteers who walks dogs awaiting adoption.
During his outing with the dog Nicky on Monday, the animal panicked and his leash slipped from his hands.
The dog immediately crossed the avenue, but a vehicle arrived at full speed. The car hit the animal and it ended up under the vehicle.
“I thought she was dead,” he told TVA Nouvelles.
Fortunately, the dog survived, but she still suffered serious injuries.
“Her molar was broken, she needs surgery and her jaw was severed,” said Mr. Marquis.
“The estimate for the surgery is $1,500, so we will definitely have to seek funding,” added the general director of the Rimouski Animal Services Center, Jeanne Mercier.
The management of the animal shelter confirmed that speed in the industrial district, where the shelter is located, is problematic.
“We’ve been seeing things move extremely quickly in the sector for three years,” said Jeanne Mercier.
The shelter director added that the situation is now problematic since many volunteers, including children, come to walk dogs.
In addition, there is no signage indicating the speed limit in the area.
“We’re in a bit of a gray area, we asked the city to add signage and a four-stop sign at the intersection and we also sent an awareness letter to all our neighbors in the area,” said indicated Ms. Mercier.
A new life for Nicky
The story ends well for the dog Nicky, since Denis Marquis chose to adopt her.
She will go to join her new family in the coming days.
Despite this mishap, Mr. Marquis plans to continue to volunteer at the animal shelter.
“Nicky is going to stay at home because she has two weeks without making her walk too much, it’s a stress she’s had, we’re going to keep her at home so she gets used to her new house,” he explained.
