A man whose dog was killed by an SUV driver who thought his $70,000 vehicle too pricy to save the dog needed media attention to see action from police
An Okanagan man whose dog was killed by a driver who refused to help save the animal says media attention won him attention from police.
Llyod Manchester was walking his dog by the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club a month ago when a man in a blue SUV backed out of a parking stall, running the pair over.
The animal, a 12-year-old medium-sized dog named Jake, was badly injured, but when Manchester asked the driver for assistance getting him to a vet, he was told the vehicle was worth $70,000, too much to risk putting the injured dog inside.
“He said he would return with a vet, jump back in (his SUV) and sped off, almost hitting us again,” said Manchester, whose foot was also injured badly enough that it is still oozing blood. The driver never returned.
The incident took place on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. and, though reported to police, Manchester said he was not getting much response until he went to the media with the story.
Once the tale surfaced, he was told the RCMP would be releasing a statement to the press within a day; and the press release went out Monday afternoon.
“Now I’m very happy with the response,” said Manchester, noting he really believes the driver can be caught if people who were in the area are notified.
Jake managed to survive the night after his accident, but as he suffered severe internal injuries, he died the next day.
In the meantime, Manchester had his foot X-Rayed and, while there were no broken bones, there was enough of a compression injury that he has been bleeding for most of the month from the wound.
There was a seminar for the Society for Learning in Retirement at the Boys and Girls Club on that day and he believes someone might have information on the individual involved.
The driver is described as a 50 to 55 year old man, approximately five-feet, nine inches and 170 pounds with brown hair. He was driving a newer blue SUV of unknown make.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call the Kelowna RCMP and ask for Cnst Chenard at 250-762-3300. To remain anonymous, one can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go online at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637) ktown.
