Puppy killed by dirt bike rider outside Seaford Meadows home, as residents say hoons are a ‘daily’ problem
SEVEN-month-old puppy Piper has been killed by a dirt bike outside a Seaford Meadows home — a victim of the “daily” problem of hoons in the area.
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DIRT bike riders are targeting a normally quiet street in Seaford Meadows because it connects to an illegal track, with one rider killing a puppy and refusing to stop.
Resident Neal Smith said his seven-month-old puppy Piper was killed by a dirt bike rider six weeks ago outside his home on Matelot St — which links to a track that leads to the Onkaparinga River.
“They came down the street and they have holes in their exhaust pipe and make a hell of a racket and the dog was on a leash but she bolted and ran away from the sound and the bike hit her,” Mr Smith said.
The beagle-cross cocker spaniel was taken to the vet but after $1400 worth of surgery on her leg she died from internal injuries.
HAVE YOU HAD A CLOSE CALL WITH A DIRT BIKE? DO YOU KNOW OF AN ILLEGAL TRACK? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW OR EMAIL US
“It has upset us all very much, but especially my wife — she had a workplace accident and the dog was keeping her company,” Mr Smith said.
He was disgusted that the bike rider “never even stopped” after hitting Piper and he fears next time it could be a child.
“We have grandchildren and there are kids that play on our street.
“It’s an ongoing issue and it seems that the council can’t do anything about it because it’s not council land — if it’s on public roads, it is a police matter, but the police don’t seem to be able to do anything.”
Morphett Vale resident Darryl, who did not want his last name published, said dangerous behaviour by dirt bike riders was a daily problem near his home, which is close to a section of the Coast to Vines rail trail.
“I take my daughter to the playground at the reserve on the weekend and the dirt bikes have become a regular sighting on these visits — anytime of day, but mainly in the afternoon,” Darryl said.
“The areas these bikes are riding are frequented by dog walkers, families with young children and cyclists.
“It’s very surprising that there hasn’t been an accident yet, but it’s only a matter of time.
“They come through at high speeds, taking advantage of the long, uninterrupted sections of the path which has clear visibility.”
He said he had also witnessed incidents of bike riders getting into altercations with drivers on States Rd.
“I’ve called the police before and been told that they are unable to act on these incidents,” he said.
Acting Chief Inspector Ben Spencer said it was common for hoon drivers to have left the area before the police had time to get there.
“Any information the public can provide to police to identify and track down hoon drivers is helpful,” he said.
“Details such as descriptions of bikes, registrations (if any), clothing and physical description of the rider, and any addresses they attend or appear to frequent will assist the investigation.”
Kaurna state Labor MP Chris Picton said the use of dirt bikes illegally across the south was “a significant problem” and one he was continually raising with the police and the council.
“The people riding these dirt bikes through parks are not just pests, but they put themselves and other people at risk,” he said.
“Many residents have told me how they are constantly beset with this problem, particularly those who live next to our extensive park network.
“I will keep advocating for strong law enforcement, crime prevention programs and improvements to park features to help make a difference to this issue.”
HAVE YOU HAD A CLOSE CALL WITH A DIRT BIKE? DO YOU KNOW OF AN ILLEGAL TRACK? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW OR EMAIL US