HEXHAM vets claim a family pet is 'lucky to be alive' after an incident at a Northumberland park.

Ned, a Blue Merle Border Collie is lucky to be alive after slicing open his side while chasing a ball on his favourite walk along the banks of the River Tyne at Blaydon with owner Marcus Klemm.

Marcus heard a yelp and saw his dog rolling over and over, before standing still in shock while his owner raced over to him and made the gruesome discovery of a 15-inch [40-centimetre] gaping wound, stretching from his armpit up and around his ribcage to his back.

His frantic owner wrapped his fleece jacket around his pet in a desperate bid to stem the flow of blood before he rang his wife Helen to drive to their rescue and called ahead to ask Hadrian Vets to prepare for their arrival.

Vet Paulina Cudzilo, head veterinary nurse Jenny Glass and veterinary nurse Claire Kealey were already waiting at the door when the couple arrived at the practice in Dene Avenue, before performing life-saving surgery. 

Marcus, a hotel manager in Newcastle, said: “Ned loves going for walks and chasing balls with our other collie Bill. The day of the accident was so traumatic and I don’t know what we would have done without the amazing team at Hadrian Vets.

“While driving to the vets, we didn’t know what to expect as all the skin was hanging off and we couldn’t help but fear the worst. The Hadrian team was waiting at the door when I arrived covered in blood with Ned in my arms, and they were so calm and reassuring.

“We left him at the practice feeling he was in safe hands and they would do everything they could for him. Ned has only needed routine health checks until this accident, but when we really needed them, the Hadrian team really stepped up during the most traumatic time.”

Ned is now well on the road to recovery after his ordeal and was awarded one of the practice’s bravery certificates, presented to patients showing real courage during recovery from injury, trauma, or extensive treatments such as chemotherapy.

Head nurse Jenny said it was the worst wound they have ever encountered at the practice.

Jenny added: “Ned has been very lucky because if his abdomen or chest had been penetrated by whatever caused the injury, it would have been life-threatening.

“The actions of Ned’s dad, who covered up the injury and got him here quickly, was brilliant, especially when he was in a state of shock as a lot of owners would have quite understandably gone to pieces seeing the skin peeled off like that.

“Ned was the bravest boy. We’ve looked after him since he was a puppy so he is very special to the practice.”