Oldham: Gino the dog 'mowed down' by pair on electric bike

Gino is a seven-and-a-half-year-old chihuahua who was rescued by his devoted family in Uppermill when he was a little over a year old.

Although the dog has struggled with anxiety and nerves, his family describe their beloved furry family member as a "cuddle bug" and "the sweetest boy".

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However, on Monday (December 11), Gino was left severely injured after he was hit by two people who were reportedly "speeding" on an electric dirtbike or moped.

At around 11.20am, Gino was enjoying his winter walk with his owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, her son and two other dogs, and had stopped to chat with another two women and their pets on the path.

Then, the group saw an "incredibly bright white light coming towards us at speed" and moments later, the moped "ploughed" through the group and hit Gino in the process.

Gino's owner added: "They gave us no warning and made absolutely no attempt to slow down and very deliberately drove straight at us.

"My son was very nearly hit but he managed to take a step back just in time."

The horrifying crash left Gino "screaming in agony" and he was paralysed from the neck down with blood pouring out of his mouth.

The injured pet was promptly taken to the vets where he was rushed into surgery and it was touch and go if he would survive.

Gino's owner continued: "I don't know how long we waited - it felt like forever.

"We were also in shock and couldn't stop shaking. We were sure our little man was going to die.

"The incident was constantly replaying in my head, hearing the thud as they hit and rode over his little body, him lying helpless and in agony.

"I felt like I was suffocating."

Gino's winter coat may have saved his life (Image: Facebook)

Eventually, Gino appeared in the arms of a nurse, dazed and wrapped in a blanket, but crucially alive and no longer paralysed. 

Though the chihuahua was put on pain relief and a drip, the vets said he would need x-rays to check for broken bones and internal bleeding.

The woman continued: "In utter disbelief, we bought our little man home.

"He was very distressed, in a lot of pain and just couldn't settle.

"We laid awake with him all night."

A winter coat Gino was wearing potentially saved his life as a photograph shows the coat was torn up and ripped from the impact of the bike.

He is now resting up to recover from several serious injuries, including bruises to his abdomen and rear leg, which look like it has "been skinned", lacerations on his chin and paws, and other internal bruising.

The family said: "Gino is a family member, above all else. This is heartbreaking for us.

"He really is the sweetest boy. He's always been nervous but this incident really hasn't helped.

"He was a wreck, very anxious and scared of literally everything when we rescued him from West Yorkshire Dog Rescue.

"The rescue did such a good job of building his confidence and we worked hard to help him become a confident boy who loves his walks and meeting his doggy friends.

"He loves being cuddled and will press his cheek against yours just to get closer.

"He's still a cuddle bug - but now he's terrified of being outside.

"He can't even go out in the back garden at the moment. He's utterly traumatised.

"A moment of sadistic pleasure for these two evil individuals has potentially ruined Gino's life forever and consequently taken from us the pleasure of walking in the Saddleworth countryside."

Another woman who witnessed the dog being run over described the incident as "traumatic" and said the pair on the bike "didn't even attempt to stop".

She added: "The dog was in a bad way.

"Me and mum have not stopped shaking."

Other residents claim they also saw the pair "tearing" around on the bike in the area, moments before and after the crash happened.

Now, the family is appealing to other members of the public who may have CCTV or doorbell footage around Freizland Lane, Greenbridge Lane, Chew Valley Road or Shaw Street on Monday.

CCTV footage shows a man driving a bike and a woman with dirt marks over her clothes (Image: Facebook)

They added: "We are so grateful for the well wishes and for all the information people have been providing - it has all been passed along to the police.

"Gino's going to be alright but we want these people caught.

"Just look at the state of Gino's coat.

"It could have been an absolute tragedy.

"We're lucky it was just soft tissue damage as this could have been a lot worse - it could have been a child.

"People shouldn't be afraid to go walking on local footpaths for fear they or their pets will be mowed down.

"We have no idea if we can pull him back from this - our dogs are the centre of our lives and now we can't even go for a walk."

In a description, the family said a heavy-set woman with long, brown hair wearing a light blue parka coat was riding on the back of the bike.

CCTV footage of the woman shows she had dirt sprayed on her back as well as across her light grey leggings.

Meanwhile, the driver was described as a man of slim build with short dark hair, wearing a black parka coat with a fur trim, black joggers, a balaclava on the lower half of his face and riding a blue electric dirtbike.

Greater Manchester Police also confirmed it is treating the incident as a collision.

A spokesperson said: “At approximately 12.50pm on Monday 11 December 2023, police were called to reports of a collision on Greenbridge Lane in Greenfield where a dog is reported to have been hit by two youths on a moped.

"No arrests have been made at this time although enquires are ongoing.” 

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