A dog owner is making a heartbreaking plea for drivers to slow down in rural 91原创 after her beloved rescue canine was killed by a driver who kept driving along 216 Street.
Wendy Warricks had taken her beloved Poppy, a two-year-old cattle dog-pit bull cross, to a friend鈥檚 acreage at 216 Street and 24 Avenue, for a dog playdate on Oct. 28 around 5:15 p.m.
Poppy is a rescue dog that came to the Warricks all the way from Atlanta, Georgia. She was rescued there and was looking for a permanent home.
Wendy was looking online for a dog and fell in love with her picture.
After passing several tests and jumping a few hoops, Poppy journeyed with volunteers who took on legs of the drive from Georgia to 91原创.
Poppy made it here two months ago, joining her sister dog Ava and the Warricks鈥� children.
鈥淲e just adored her right from the start,鈥� said Warrick. 鈥淪he was part of the family. I was just starting to take her to dog training.鈥�
Warricks said she let Poppy off leash inside the home to play but the dogs found a way outside. Warricks quickly gave chase but Poppy bolted down a ravine and towards busy 216 Street.
鈥淚 ran after her and, as I stepped onto 216 Street, cars were driving so fast. I found her five minutes later dead. The driver hit her and just kept driving,鈥� Warrick said.
She can鈥檛 believe the person could just keep going.
But several people driving by did pull over and offer their help and support, she said.
Warrick said she knows she is to blame for letting Poppy off-leash but she hopes her tragedy can be a lesson for drivers in the area.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a narrow road. There is wildlife out there. This could have been a kid walking on that street. Slow down,鈥� she said.
She has been crying every day since Poppy was killed.
鈥淚 feel bad for all the people who loved Poppy 鈥� as far away as Georgia and all who cared for her between there and here. Our family is devastated. She was family,鈥� she said.
She hopes her story will make drivers think of Poppy and think twice about speeding.
