A father-of-two suffering from head, shoulder and ankle injuries is lucky to be home after being targeted in an alleged road rage incident that claimed the life of his family's puppy in Canterbury yesterday.
Police became aware of the incident, which involved a dark grey Nissan four-wheel-drive and a family of four near Eyreton, 20 minutes north of Christchurch, about 5.45pm.
At the time, the man was out walking with his wife, their two children and the family's 10-month-old puppy.
"We understand that the man signalled the driver of the Nissan to slow down when he exited the Eyre River crossing onto Downs road," detective sergeant Rex Barnett said.
The driver appeared to take offence at being signalled by the man and tried to knock him over.
To avoid being run down, the man "took evasive action", which included leaping a barbed wire fence - however he appeared to have been hit at least once, Mr Barnett said.
The Nissan was also described as doing u-turns,
It is believed the family's puppy was hit as the vehicle fled the scene.
The dog had to be put down because of the severity of its injuries, Mr Barnett said.
The man was treated at Christchurch Hospital for cuts to his hands, cuts and bruises on his head and injuries to his shoulder and ankle.
He has since been released and was recovering at home. No other members of his family were hurt.
A 51-year-old man from Ohoka has been arrested in relation to the incident.
"This was an extremely serious incident and it is lucky that the man was not more seriously injured and that his family escaped injury," Mr Barnett said.
"It is particularly upsetting for the family's two children to have witnessed the incident and ultimately lost their new family pet."
The 51-year-old man has been charged with injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and cruelty to an animal. He is due to appear in Christchurch District Court tomorrow morning.
By Teuila Fuatai of the New Zealand Herald
