Police searching for injured puppy after being hit by car in Co Derry

A puppy that was hit by a car in the early hours of Sunday still hasn't been found and is believed to have been seriously injured, police say.

The puppy, a black and white collie, was reported to have been hit by a red Citroen somewhere in and around the Glenshane Road, Maghera between 3am and 8am on May 19.

The dog has yet to be found, and it is understood police are concerned it may have been moved by the driver of the vehicle with "connections to Belfast, Antrim and Dungiven".

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In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for information following an incident when a puppy was struck by a car in the Maghera area on Sunday 19th May. Sometime between 3am and 8am it was reported that a red coloured Citroen car hit a young black and white collie in the vicinity of the Glenshane Road, Maghera.

"The dog has yet to be located and is believed to have been seriously injured during this collision. There are connections to Belfast, Antrim and Dungiven."

The statement continued: "A 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animal and threats to kill. He was later charged and appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday 20th May.

"Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, observed any suspicious activity in the area during this time or have CCTV or dash-cam footage that could assist with enquiries, or anyone who may know there whereabouts of the dog, to contact the PSNI via 101 or online, quoting the reference number 635 of 19/05/24.

"Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org/."

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