A dog named Ziggy has amazed his rescuers by surviving a 200-mile journey from Scotland to England after being hit by a car. The four-year-old lurcher was found in the back of a van in Northumberland, with a broken pelvis and a fractured leg. He had been missing from his home in Fife for two weeks.
How Ziggy went missing
Ziggy’s owner, John McLeish, said he had let Ziggy out for a walk on December 28, 2023, but he never came back. He searched for him everywhere, but could not find him. He feared the worst when he heard that a dog matching Ziggy’s description had been hit by a car on the A92 near Kirkcaldy. He said: “I was devastated. I thought he was gone. He’s my best friend and I love him to bits.”
However, Ziggy had somehow managed to get into the back of a van that was passing by the scene of the accident. The driver of the van, who did not notice the injured dog, drove all the way to Northumberland, where he parked his vehicle at a farm. Ziggy was discovered by the farm owner, who alerted the local animal rescue centre.
How Ziggy was rescued
The animal rescue centre, BARK (Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels), took Ziggy in and scanned his microchip. They were shocked to find out that he belonged to John, who lived more than 200 miles away. They contacted John and arranged for him to be reunited with his beloved pet. John said: “I couldn’t believe it when they called me. I was over the moon. I drove down to Berwick as fast as I could. When I saw Ziggy, I burst into tears. He was so happy to see me. He licked my face and wagged his tail. It was the best moment of my life.”
Ziggy had suffered serious injuries from the car accident, and needed surgery to fix his pelvis and leg. He also had a wound on his chest that was infected. BARK raised more than £2,000 to cover the cost of his treatment, and received donations from animal lovers across the UK. Ziggy is now recovering well, and is expected to make a full recovery. John said: “I’m so grateful to BARK and everyone who helped Ziggy. He’s a fighter and a survivor. He’s my miracle dog.”
How Ziggy became a celebrity
Ziggy’s story has captured the hearts of many people, who have been following his progress on social media. He has received hundreds of messages of support, cards, gifts, and even a knitted jumper. He has also been featured on several news outlets, including the BBC, the Daily Record, and the Scotsman. He has been dubbed “the dog who walked 200 miles” and “the luckiest dog in the world”.
Ziggy’s owner, John, said he was overwhelmed by the response, and thanked everyone for their kindness. He said: “Ziggy is a very special dog. He has a strong spirit and a loving personality. He has touched so many lives, and brought joy to so many people. He’s a star, and I’m so proud of him.”
