Hero Alexandria taxi driver saves dog

May 21 2010 Lennox Herald (main ed)

A TAXI driver has been hailed a hero after helping to save a dog which leapt 50ft from a balcony.

Big hearted Alexandria cabbie Kenny Neill was dropping customer Gordon McKinnon in Rosshead last Saturday when they spotted the police outside Gordon’s flat and realised his puppy Mia had leapt from the top floor flat.

Gordon, 36, said: “It was an awful sight. She was howling and crying in agony.

“She wouldn’t let anyone else near her but I knew she trusted me.

“I was in shock and so scared she wasn’t going to make it.

“She hates being on her own so that’s probably why she jumped.

“Kenny was amazing, he told me to jump in the car and he’d drive us to the vets.”

The pair drove to McKenzie and Son in the Vale where a distressed Mia was examined and found to have a broken front leg.

The nine month-old mongrel needed a £200 operation to repair the damage but unemployed Gordon didn’t have the cash to foot the bill.

His only option was to get Mia to veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals which has a centre in Glasgow.

Gordon added: “The vets gave Mia a morphine injection and advised me to get her to the hospital in Glasgow as quickly as possible, but I didn’t have any money for the fare.

“Kenny was a real gentleman and offered to drive us to Glasgow free of charge.

“I was so touched by his generosity as normally that fare would cost £100.”

Kenny, 42, said: “The poor dog was really distraught and there was no way I could walk away without helping.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for animals so I didn’t think twice about offering my help.

“Mia was in a lot of pain and getting the money for the fare to Glasgow was the last thing on my mind.”

Animal hero Kenny waited with Gordon at the Glasgow vet centre and, after hearing Mia was on the mend, drove the relieved owner home again.

Gordon said: “The operation was a great success.

“I’m still in shock that she survived the fall. It’s a miracle.

“I honestly can’t thank Kenny enough. He was amazing, a real Samaritan.”