DRIVERS are being warned to take more care while travelling on country roads, after a beloved family pet was injured during Newport’s historic beating of the bounds ceremony last Friday.

The annual ceremony for the barony of Newport originates in the fifth century and was reinstated in 1964. It is now a popular event with walkers, visitors and riders who follow the barony flag on a nine mile walk.

On Friday, August 18, the beating of the bounds party had stopped at the Bedd Morris boundary stone for refreshments when a passing driver hit Jess, the dog of deputy mayor Andrew Benham.

“We were at Bedd Morris where we had stopped for refreshments,” said Mr Benham. “There were lots of people, horses, children and dogs there milling about.

“Three cars came up from the Gwaun Valley towards Newport. The first two slowed down. The third, a big blue Jag, slowed down a little but not a lot, hit our dog and carried on going.

“It was a single track road with a lot of people milling around. You don’t go ploughing through. You don’t have to be going very fast to do some damage in a big car.

“If you see a group of people, horses, dogs and children you take care.”

Jess ended up with badly cut legs and had to have emergency veterinary treatment. Fortunately she is now on the mend.

The police have been notified of the incident and Mr Benham is keen to remind drivers to take special care while driving on the country lanes and single tracjk roads.

“In my role as deputy mayor of Newport I would like to remind drivers to take care at this busy time of year,” he said.