A DOG was left needing emergency surgery after a cyclist ran him off the pavement.

Woody, a two-year-old Bichon Maltese mix, was dragged along a pavement in Thorpe Bay by a cyclist.

Owner James Kent was walking Woody at around 11pm on Sunday on the footpath at the junction of Bournes Green Chase and Shoebury Road.

Mr Kent, 45, of Armitage Road, Thorpe Bay said: “I had taken Woody out for his end of the night walk.

“The dog was on the grass on a long lead and I was on the pavement.

“I didn’t hear the cyclist until he was next to me and he went between me and the dog.

“I realised what was happening as soon as he was next to me, which was too late.

“He ploughed through and picked up the lead and kept on going forward.

“The dog got yanked towards the bike and hit it and swung around the front of the bike with the momentum and then he came off his harness.”

A shaken Woody ran back home and was left needing emergency surgery and now has a surgical drain around his neck.

Mr Kent said: “The cyclist stayed while I untangled the lead, but didn’t say sorry or anything and just cycled off.

“They shouldn’t be on the pavement.”