Dog walker and his puppy injured in hit-and-run

Paul Lockhart sits on a grey outdoor sofa and smiles at the camera, his beige puppy wears a tartan harness and cuddles up to Paul who is wearing a navy and white Nike shell suit top. There is a brick wall behind them. — Image caption,
Paul Lockhart and his puppy Ziggy used to walk together for hours every day, his family said

Joe Skirkowski

BBC News, Bristol

5 September 2025

A dog walker is in hospital with life-changing injuries after a hit-and-run which also injured his six-month-old puppy.

Paul Lockhart, 67, was walking his dog Ziggy on Wells Road in Whitchurch, Bristol, when he was hit by a black Volkswagen Golf at about 10:40 BST on 28 August.

His family say the car left the scene before police arrived. Mr Lockhart suffered serious complicated fractures in his leg and required multiple, extensive surgeries.

"We have to be thankful it's not worse," said his daughter, Fiona Lockhart. "Dad will survive, but his life will be different now. He's got a long road to recovery."

Mr Lockhart lying in a hospital bed, wearing blue and white patterned gown. His arm and leg are bandaged with gauze and medical tape, and there are tubes filled with red fluid running from the bandages. There are also several scrapes and bruises visible. — Image caption,
Specialist doctors were able to operate on Mr Lockhart's leg to save his foot from amputation

Ms Lockhart said her father had always lived a very active lifestyle and he and Ziggy would "walk for hours" every day, quickly becoming "the best of friends".

"Dad's worrying now, thinking what's he going to do? Here's a complete change of lifestyle for him," she said.

"All those things he loves doing, he won't be able to do when he gets home. For your life to change overnight like that - it's a big thing to deal with.

"He is grateful that's he's alive. That's been the only positive of this - that he survived."

Specialist doctors were able to save Mr Lockhart's foot from amputation, but are unable to tell at this stage whether he will have a limp or need a walking aid.

A small greyhound/ Whippet dog with brown and white fur. It is standing up, peeking out of a metal cage which is filled with fluffy blankets, a toy, a fluffy bed and a puppy pad. The dog is wearing a black collar with a yellow name tag in the shape of a bone, and has a red cast around its right front leg. — Image caption,
Ms Lockhart says Ziggy now becomes "incredibly distressed" by sirens and being near main roads

His puppy also suffered fractures, chest and head injuries, leaving him "incredibly distressed".

Ms Lockhart said Ziggy now "struggles massively" near a main road, and cannot cope with the wailing of emergency sirens after the trauma of the accident.

"We're glad he's made it but he's very obviously missing dad, and dad is missing him lots too," she added.

Paul lies asleep in a hospital bed, the bed is propped up at an angle and has multiple machines around him. He is covered by a white blanket — Image caption,
Mr Lockhart has undergone multiple surgeries on his injured leg, with the most recent operation lasting 10 hours

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said two teenagers had been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and have since been released under investigation.

Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or the driver's behaviour before the collision, or who may have relevant footage, to come forward.