A mother in West Sussex had a terrifying ordeal while trying to protect her pet goats. Jackie Stride impaled herself on a wooden spike while attempting to move it away from her goats’ paddock to ensure their safety. Jackie’s pet goats – Crunchie, Goldilocks, and Wispa – were at risk of hurting themselves on a rotting wooden chair with an exposed spike. In her efforts to prevent any accidents, she tried to push the chair over using her foot, but tragically slipped and landed on the spike, impaling herself on her right leg.
Initially thinking she had just caught her trousers on the spike, Jackie soon realised the severity of her injury as she struggled to get up. Despite the deep wound, she managed to make her way back to her house. Upon seeing the extent of the injury, her husband immediately insisted on taking her to the hospital. Before leaving, Jackie ensured that the spike was removed to prevent any harm to her goats.
Upon reaching Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, Jackie learned that her wound was 6cm deep and full thickness. Concerns arose regarding potential splinters inside her leg, prompting her transfer to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for further assessment. Following a debridement surgery to remove damaged tissue, Jackie returned home with eight stitches in her leg.
Jackie, a veterinary receptionist, reflected on the incident, expressing gratitude for her fortunate escape. She acknowledged the potential severity of the injury had circumstances been slightly different. Despite the sacrifice she made for her goats, Jackie humorously noted that her pets carried on with their usual antics, oblivious to the danger they were saved from.
As Jackie continues her recovery and tends to her animals, she remains thankful for avoiding a more catastrophic outcome. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks individuals may face when caring for their beloved pets, even in seemingly harmless situations.