Fosse Way walker's dog shot by quadbike rider

The local woman, who wished to remain anonymous, had been walking her dog along the Fosse Way, at farmland in Chedglow, when he was shot at by a man who shouted “f*cking animals” as he drove off on a quad bike.

She rushed her pet to the vets, who confirmed he had been struck twice by pellets from the weapon in both the leg and the bottom.

The dog owner, who regularly uses the Fosse Way for walks with her children, has been left angered and upset by the incident.

She said: “People use the path all the time because it’s lovely, the dog just peeked out the edge of the woodland and as I called him back he was shot.

“I didn’t ever think that anyone would shoot my dog, he was very lucky because he could’ve been killed but it was horrific and I still can’t believe it’s happened.

“It’s like being in Kentucky, if he had been chasing valuable livestock then they would be within their rights to shoot but the land was arable and there was no livestock.”

Despite the attack, the dog escaped without any serious injury and was fortunate to avoid needing an operation.

He has since been recovering at home.

While his owner has since braved the Fosse Way again, she remains concerned for the safety of people using the path.

She added: “My kids run around up there, and you’re not meant to fire guns when people around.

“I was right with the dog and the shooter couldn’t see me, because I was behind foliage, so he could’ve hit me.”

The area near the incident at Chedglow (Image: Public contribution)

Police have since launched an investigation into the incident and are searching for a quadbike rider in connection to the shooting.

Anybody who has information which could help identify the shooter has been urged to come forward.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We are appealing for witnesses after a dog was shot at on Fosse Way, Chedglow, at around 3.50pm on July 19.

“The dog suffered two gunshot wounds and needed treatment.

“We would like to speak to a male who was seen in the area and described as a large build with blond hair and driving a green quad bike.

“If this is you, or you have information that could help with our enquiries please contact us on 101 quoting reference number 54230075997.”