A DOG owner is facing vet bills in excess of �3,000 after his pet broke both his back legs when a cyclist riding on a pavement collided with him. Since The Comet reported two weeks ago the increasing problem of cyclists and skateboarders riding at speed o

A DOG owner is facing vet bills in excess of �3,000 after his pet broke both his back legs when a cyclist riding on a pavement collided with him.

Since The Comet reported two weeks ago the increasing problem of cyclists and skateboarders riding at speed on pavements and through pedestrianised areas of Stevenage, readers have been in contact with their own nightmare experiences. Tom Ward's has proved extremely costly.

Mr Ward was walking his dog, Morgan, on Ditchmore Lane in Stevenage when an inconsiderate youth riding a bike came between him and his pet. The cyclist got entangled in the lead and Morgan, a six-month-old pedigree Labrador, was sent under the wheels.

The cyclist swore at Mr Ward before riding off, without checking the state of the dog.

Morgan has been cage-bound since the incident more than a month ago.

Mr Ward, who lives in the High Street in Stevenage Old Town, has so far spent almost �1,000 on vet bills, and is set to spend a further �2,400 on more treatment.

The 27-year-old said: "She has just got through the repair stage, and the breaks have now healed. The vet has confirmed one leg will be shorter than the other, and she has to have hydrotherapy - swimming lessons - to repair the muscles.

"So far the vet care has cost �916 and now she has to have 12 courses at �200 each."

Stevenage Borough Council is currently working on a traffic regulation order for the town centre, which will make it clear where cycling is and is not permitted.