A VETERAN Royal British Legion biker says he is lucky to be alive after a dog ran into the path of his motorbike, causing him to fall head-first to the ground.

Wayne Lawton, 54, was travelling home along Glebe Road, in Royal Wootton Bassett, at about 9.30pm last Thursday when the dog ran into the path of his beloved Triumph 1200cc motorbike, which he has ridden to dozens of repatriations.

The ex-RAF flight sergeant, who served at RAF Lyneham for 23 years, suffered a broken wrist, damage to his hands and knees and also had to have a scan following dizzy spells after the crash.

Wayne, who has five motorbikes in total, said: “The dog came out of nowhere and I came off and landed on my head – I could’ve been killed or paralysed.

“At one stage I thought I was in real trouble – I woke up on Saturday morning with a headache and tingling in my finger. I went to hospital and they put me on a spinal board and through a scanner.

“Now I’m all strapped up and I can’t ride. The Triumph is a write-off anyway and if the owner is not covered then I’ll have to pay the costs myself.”

Police are not prosecuting the dog owner and Wayne said he was angry at the decision even after he pointed out that there is legislation concerning dogs on roads.

He cited section 27 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which states: ‘A person who causes or permits a dog to be on a designated road without the dog being held on a lead is guilty of an offence.’ He said: “They’ve said it was an accident but I could’ve been killed. I think the general public would like to know just how caring our police are – not.

“I will go to the Independent Police Complaints Commission if I have to – I am incensed about it.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police confirmed the force would not be taking action against the dog owner.

He said: “Following enquiries it was established a dog, which was being walked on a lead, had come loose from its collar and caused the rider, travelling at low speed at the time, to take evasive action.

“Following subsequent enquiries the decision was taken that in the circumstances, with the dog having been on the lead but then breaking loose, it was not appropriate to take further action against the dog owner.”

A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 9.34pm to a report of a man in his 50s whose motorbike had collided with a dog in the road.

“He had arm and leg injuries and was taken to Great Western Hospital.”