Michael O’Brien, son-in-law of well known local identity, the late Noel Crocker, recounted his experience to News Of The Area from his hospital bed in Sydney, where he underwent surgery to repair his fractured and dislocated ankle.

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Approximately four weeks ago, while walking through Morrison Park with his granddaughter, Mr O’Brien says he was bowled over by a large mastiff or staffy type dog, resulting in a severe ankle injury.

Mr O’Brien then alleges the dog’s owner, described as being a woman in her late 40s, briefly approached before remarking “That looks broken” and hurrying away with her two unrestrained dogs.

“Lying on the ground, crying out in pain, I couldn’t believe she just left,” Mr O’Brien told NOTA.

“The pain was excruciating, and her actions literally added insult to injury.”

Mr O’Brien’s 13-year-old granddaughter was left to dial 000 for an ambulance while a nearby woman, identified only as Sally, cared for Mr O’Brien at the scene, providing a pillow and comforting him until the ambulance arrived some hours after the incident.

Mr O’Brien was rushed to Coffs Harbour Hospital to have the injury assessed and stabilised before being transferred to Sydney for surgery.

The operation involved the insertion of 14 pins and two plates to stabilise the fracture.

Now out of hospital, Mr O’Brien faces a long period of recovery and rehabilitation, including time in a cast and the high possibility of arthritis in the injured ankle.

While Swimming Creek Beach is an off-leash area, Mr O’Brien said the incident occurred on a tract of land where off-leash dogs are prohibited.

Liane Gourlay, a Nambucca Valley resident campaigning for a dedicated fenced dog park in the district, told NOTA, “Dog owners have a responsibility not just to their pets but to the community and incidents like this are avoidable if people do the right thing.”

By Mick BIRTLES