Paralysed dog Puffy is back on the run thanks to pedal-powered wheelchair

A dog paralysed in a road accident is back on the run thanks to a pedal-powered wheelchair.

Puffy, a Chinese crested dog who lives with her owners in Thatcham, Berkshire, lost the use of her back legs when she was hit by a car in January 2015, just days after moving into her new home.

Michael and Danielle Cass refused to give up on their disabled pet, who had belonged to Danielle’s mother Jo before she died from cancer.

After six weeks of physio treatment and hydrotherapy, Puffy returned home to a DIY wheelchair made by Michael’s father using plastic plumbing, cart wheels and a harness.

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But the DIY chair was merely a stop-gap measure, and after a check-up at Fitzpatrick Referrals vets, home to Channel 4 show The Supervet, they were told about a new state-of-the-art piece of technology.

It promised to make walking easier for Puffy, but it cost £1,500.

However, Michael and Danielle started a crowdfunding appeal which was picked up by their local newspaper, the Newbury Weekly News, and they soon hit their target.

Puffy is now free to run around to her heart’s content with her new pedal cart, made by Kerdog.

Her front legs drive the wheels which are connected to her rear legs, giving the impression she is pedalling along.

Her hind legs are still paralysed but the movement helps to keep the them toned and prevent muscle wastage.

Michael, 29, said: ‘The prognosis wasn’t great. We were told we could either put her down or see how she gets on with her condition.

‘She seemed so willing and determined to carry on and happy within herself. We had the connection back to Jo so we wanted to do everything we could.

‘She’s really enjoying life so we’re really glad we put the effort in to do all we could for her.

‘We were completely overwhelmed and humbled, by not only the number of donations we received, but how generously people we’re giving.

‘There seemed to be a real love for Puffy and a desire to help. We’re so thankful for everyone’s support, they’ve made a really big difference to Puffy’s life.

‘This will hopefully help reduce the likelihood of her front legs developing arthritis or other complications, as losing the use of them would be too much for her to continue.

‘Everyone’s donations, help and support have meant that Puffy should have a more normal life expectancy and we’ll have our little fur baby around for a long time to come yet because of it.’