GoFundMe Effort Launched To Assist Dog Hit By Concord School Bus

CONCORD, NH — A Concord family has launched a GoFundMe.com effort to offset the veterinarian costs of medical treatments after their dog was struck by a school bus on Monday.

Carrie Ladd and Huy Hong launched the site on Tuesday saying their dog, Saphfyre, was 18 months old and "very full of life." The dog, like nearly all dogs, brings happiness to the family and is a bit goofy, too. On Monday, the dog broke loose from its leash and was struck by a Concord School District bus and dragged.

"The driver of the bus didn't stop at all or even come back to see what he hit," Ladd wrote on the fundraising post. "My fiancé called the school transportation system before the driver did but the driver admitted to hitting something and not stopping. I rushed Saphfyre to the emergency vet where they have her."

Saphfyre has a fractured pelvis, internal bleeding, and other issues. She will need to stay there until she has been stabilized for surgery.

"My family is in absolute shock that someone could just keep driving like nothing ever happened," Ladd wrote. "We are trying all we can to make sure Saphfrye is taken care of the way she deserves so we can all have our family complete again."

Ladd said the family had spent about $3,100, so far, and is hoping to raise $10,000. At post time, the family had raised about $2,000 in less than half a day.

Kathleen Murphy, the school superintendent for SAU 8, confirmed the school bus driver did strike the dog. The driver, who has worked for the district for more than 12 years and has a stellar driving record, reported the incident to his supervisor immediately after returning the school bus to the garage.

"The driver has been taken off the road," Murphy said. "He feels terrible."

Murphy said there were no students on the bus at the time the dog was hit and called it an unfortunate incident. Since the dog was off its leash at the time of the accident, the district's insurance will not be covering any of the costs. The legal responsibility is on the family. Murphy, however, said the district would be doing everything it could to support the family as it experiences the medical expenses needed to take care of the dog.

"We feel terrible about the fact that this family's pet was hit by one of our school buses," she said. "I know how important family pets are to children. The school district will do everything it can to support the family."

To make a donation to the fundraising effort, visit the Saphfyre Surgery And Vet Bills Help Save Her Life site.

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