Readers rally to give Buck another chance | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

"This is such a good day. I feel like all the worry has gone," said Bronson Stewart yesterday.

Bronson grinned from ear to ear when he was told his dog, Buck, had been saved and that the people of Wanganui have come to the rescue.

Yesterday's front page story about Bronson and Buck's plight led to dozens of people offering to donate to get the dog's leg fixed.

The 5-month-old pup was hit by a speeding car and has a badly broken hind leg.

The money it was going to cost to have Buck's leg fixed was out of Bronson's financial reach and he was told his beloved pup would have to be euthanased if he couldn't pay.

The 18-year-old has been on a sickness benefit after he was bashed over the head with a bottle in a central Wanganui street last year.

Bronson suffered head injuries from the bashing and was hospitalised. He has been unable to work since.

"But it's not forever. I can go back to work soon," he said.

At the time of the attack he was working in an inner city fast food outlet.

His attacker was jailed for seven months on a charge of grievous bodily harm.

Bronson's father, Kevin, is also a beneficiary.

Yesterday, with the donations coming in, Bronson took Buck back to a veterinary clinic in Wanganui. The dog will be operated on by a vet in Bulls.

Bronson said he was sorry he had gone into the clinic last Friday to visit Buck then run off with the pup.

"I just didn't want him to die, so I went and got him back and took him home."

When Bronson said goodbye to Buck yesterday, he promised vet nurse Karen Thompson that when he visits the pup today he won't run off with him.

And he wants to work for his donations.

"I can mow lawns and do gardens - you know, take rubbish out and stuff. I'll work for everyone who's helping Buck and me."

IT'S ALL ABOUT BUCK

Yesterday was all about the dog.

Our front page story about young Wanganui man Bronson Stewart and his badly injured dog Buck, provoked a huge response from Chronicle readers.

Dozens of callers phoned in to express their support for the the pair and to offer financial help to stop Buck being put down.

The first caller, from a Wanganui rest home said she was planning to run a collection among residents and caregivers. Yesterday afternoon the woman came to the Chronicle's Taupo Quay office with $180 ready to hand over.

Many of the callers explained they had little surplus money for themselves but were, or had been, dog owners so could understand Bronson's love for his injured dog and the desperation he must have felt that drove him to snatch Buck from the vet clinic.

Even an elderly Rotorua resident, an invalid beneficiary, was keen to help and offered to contribute substantially toward the operation Buck needs. A similar offer was received from a Wanganui resident and yet another person said he had already contacted his vet to try and persuade him to do the operation for the "cost of materials".

Several callers had had personal experience of having to have a loved dog euthanased because, at that time, they could not afford the care and treatment their pet required. They were determined that should not happen to Buck.

The majority of  callers made it clear they were not donating to the owner, but to save the dog.

Late yesterday afternoon Wanganui SPCA secretary Val Walters took on the task of being the collection agency for the fund-raising for Buck.

People wanting to donate can do so by calling in at the Wanganui SPCA headquarters at 134 London Street or posting donations to: The Secretary, Wanganui SPCA, PO Box 7091, Wanganui

Mrs Waters said all donations would be acknowledged and receipted.

The Chronicle will keep readers posted about progress with the fundraising.