Bakersfield, CA (KERO ) — A dog who was hit by a car while crossing the street with her disabled owner is received support from the community Friday following the crash.
Richard Powell said last week he was crossing the street at the panama lane and southbound highway 99 exit when he was hit by a woman driver and was ultimately knocked out of his wheel chair.
Bakersfield Police Department confirmed the crash took place at the intersection, but officials said the driver told authorities that Powell was crossing illegally. Officials said they couldn’t determine who was at fault.
Powell said the woman also ran over his dog Marley who hasn’t been able to walk since, “You know the truck rolled on to her you know like right here and it didn’t go all the way over her but it crushed her insides and all that,” Powell said.
According to police the driver told officials Powell was crossing illegally, however Powell said he had the right away.
Powell said when he was on the ground trying to get up he heard his dog Marley yelping, so he started crawling towards her on his stomach, “And I went around the jeep and there she is stuck under the wheel.”
Marley ate very little after, refused to put weight on her hind legs and had blood in her stool after the crash. Powell who has very little income, eventually turned to Sue Bennett at the Kern Humane Society non-profit for support, “We help anyone who cannot afford to pay for a vet office call,” Bennett said.
Powell created a Facebook fundraiser and community members donated more than $400 to Marley to help pay for medical costs.
However, since Marley needed xray’s which can cost up to $600 Bennett reached out to doctor Jensen at the Olive Drive Animal Hospital. “Dr. Jenson has been very good in helping with people who are very low income and they don’t have a lot of money to spend on their animal but they want to do something he has been very good about taking them and giving them a chance,”Bennett said.
“Your dog has a broken hip so there are two options either surgical options have to go in there an pin it or plate it and put the pieces back together or you could be conservative and give the dog rest for three weeks,” Dr. Jenson told Powell Friday.
As for Powell he said he is just thankful for the communities support for Marley, “Without everyone’s help it wouldn’t have happened and so I believe this is going to turn out on a really good note she might have to have surgery here. In three weeks we will know more.”
While reporters were waiting at the Olive Drive Animal Hospital the calls were pouring into the office from community members wanting to contribute towards Marley’s after care.
All costs were covered by the Kern Humane Society and the help of the community.
