Editorial: Death of pet strikes a chord

The relationship between a person and their dog is special. Photo/Thinkstock

The relationship between a person and their pet dog is a special one.

My family has a one-year-old border collie and I must admit I am rather fond of her. It is probably because we spend most early mornings walking together and have built up quite an understanding.

For most of the walk she is on a lead, but there are some stretches of quiet roads and cycleways outside Havelock North where she does walk unfettered. If we do encounter another walker or runner, I put her lead back on so that she does not annoy them with her enthusiastic greetings. When cars approach, she knows to sit on the cycleway and wait for them to pass.

I like to think she is quite road-savvy now, but it does not stop me worrying. I would hate for her to be hit by a car.

Being a dog owner I have a lot of sympathy for Kay Hamilton, whose fox terrier Rosie died after being hit by a speeding quadbike in an off-lead area on Haumoana Beach.

It must have been a terrible shock because it would have happened so quickly. The inquisitive young dog approached the quadbike, but instead of slowing down, the driver apparently kept the throttle open. The question many people are asking is - What if Rosie had been a child?

To make the situation even worse, the quadbiker showed no remorse and started verbally abusing Ms Hamilton before driving off.

My views on quadbikes are quite clear. I think they are okay as long as helmets are worn, they are not overloaded and people don't drive recklessly or dangerously.

The police are investigating the incident now and I only hope the quadbiker has the good sense to come forward because he can't hide forever.

He has some explaining to do.