THE plight of a seriously injured Greenock dog has produced a huge response from the public to pay for an operation — including £2,000 from one person.

We reported last Friday on family pet Pippa, who was knocked down by a car and may have to be put to sleep if she can’t get complicated surgery on her smashed pelvis.

Her owners, the Higgins family, do not have insurance for their pet, and need £3,000 to pay for specialist treatment.

A ‘crowdfunding’ page led to around £1,500 in donations then an anonymous donor who read the Tele story walked into Abbey Vets in Greenock and handed over £1,000 — before returning in the afternoon with another £1,000.

Today 13-year-old Rebecca Higgins said she was ‘really grateful’ to everyone who donated, and especially to the person who gave £2,000.

Grateful Rebecca said: “It’s unbelievable! I’d love to thank everyone for their help, and I want the anonymous person who gave £2,000 to know how much their kindness means to us.”

Now Abbey Vets are arranging an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon to see if the operation can go ahead.

Partner Neil McIntosh says Abbey have been providing initial treatment for Pippa, but that her mobility could be affected because her damaged bones will start to fuse together.

He said: “We will need to have Pippa examined by a specialist.”

Two-year-old Pippa is a Boston terrier and poodle cross breed.

The accident is believed to have happened in the early hours of February 18, after she managed to run out the front door of the family’s central Greenock tenement flat.

Pippa was missing until the following evening, and was reunited with the family after Rebecca contacted ‘Lost Dogs Glasgow’ and posted messages on Facebook.

Her mum, Leah Higgins, said: “Lost Dogs Glasgow suggested a crowdfunding page, but I felt a bit awkward about doing it. 

“They pointed out that a lot of people wouldn’t like to see a wee dog being put to sleep if she could be saved, and now I’m glad we went ahead with the fundraising.

“I’m totally stunned at the generosity of the Inverclyde public, and in particular the person who has donated £2,000. We just hope the operation can go ahead and Pippa can have a long and healthy life.”

She added: “We are so grateful to the Telegraph for covering our story. We didn’t expect such a great reaction, and it has all happened so quickly.”

Vet Mr McIntosh said he wasn’t surprised so much money was raised so swiftly for Pippa.

He said: “The Inverclyde public have previously demonstrated how generous they are towards animals who need help.”