A pet owner who was left shaken after a horror 70mph crash on the motorway destroyed her car has praised a £500 crate for saving her dog's life.
Hayley Schofield, 28, said the TransK9 cage in the boot of her Mercedes C180 saved her Spaniel Mitch from coming to serious harm on the M25 near the Darenth Interchange just outside Dartfort, Kent.
Hayley was driving at 70mph on the M25 when she was involved in a crash with a van after a downpour of rain and a sudden drop in the speed limit at lunchtime on April 3.
The school farm worker ‘almost collapsed' when she saw the crumpled rear end of her car and immediately ‘though the worst' for Mitch's well being.
‘It was raining and the overhead bollards were saying 50mph so everyone was slowing down,' she said.
Hayley Schofield's Spaniel Mitch in the crate in the boot of her Mercedes C180 before the crash
The back of Hayley's car was crumpled and her rear windscreen was smashed in the crash on April 3
‘I heard a massive beep. [The crash] was awful, I'm not a dramatic person but I thought the worst.
‘My spaniel Mitch comes to work with me on a school farm. My first thought was for Mitch.
‘I climbed out of the car and someone said I almost collapsed where I was in shock. When I saw Mitch in the back I felt relief.'
Hayley, from Stone in Dartford, Kent, suffered minor injuries in the crash and added she is ‘glad' she bought the TransK9 crate – which are crash tested.
She said: ‘It is so common for people to put their dogs in the boot. If there isn't legislation about it, I think there should be.
Picture shows Hayely with her Spaniel Mitch on a beach
‘You can get the crates in different sizes for each car. They are expensive but my dog travels with me quite a lot so what price do you put on their safety?
‘There are lots of different brands that sell them, some cheaper than others and you can even get them second hand.
‘I've had the crate for five years and you never think you'll need it, but I'm so glad I had it.'
Police were called to the scene – where two people were reported to have suffered injuries – shortly after 1.30pm on April 3, with highways officers and paramedics also in attendance.
