Two-year-old Orla needed prosthetic limb after collision with lawnmower

Orla after her injuries. Picture: Ralph Goldstein

A brown cockapoo named Orla has had to have a prosthetic limb fitted after one of her legs was ripped off by a lawnmower on Putney Common.

Ralph Goldstein, a 68-year old venture capitalist from Barnes, was walking his niece's two-year-old dog with his daughter in June of last year around Putney Cricket Club when there was a collision between Orla and the ride-on mower which was been driven by a volunteer groundsman with the club.

Orla was trapped under the blades of the mower and Mr Goldstein badly damaged his hand in freeing her. As a result metal pins needed to be inserted into his fingers and he has recently been told that it will be at least a year before his hand will be 100% functional.

Mr Goldstein said: “It was horrendous and traumatic. One minute we are walking along, the next there’s a mower coming at us and driving through us.

“My daughter and I got out of the way but Orla came under it. As I attempted to release Orla I suffered injuries.”

After the incident the Cricket Club’s insurers initially claimed that he was partly at fault for not having the dog on a lead and they claimed the dog had run into the path of the mower. Mr Goldstein verified with the Commons Conservators that there was no requirement for the dog to be on the lead and he refused the initial offer to split costs fifty-fifty. Substantial vet’s bills had been incurred as well as a medical bill for over £6,000 for his own injuries.

Eventually the club’s insurers agreed on a settlement of £28,000.

Putney Cricket Club chairman Mike Curtis told the Evening Standard, “It was a tragic accident. We regret it took place and we’ve apologised.”

August 3, 2016