A CASE against a cyclist accused of breaking a dog’s jaw while riding through a park has been dropped after a year of legal wrangling.

Springer spaniel Lucy was injured when a rider came around a corner on a cycle path in Castle Park, Colchester, and accidentally hit her in May last year.

Firefighter Craig Todd was later charged with careless cycling under the Road Traffic Act.

But Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service had dropped the case as there was too little evidence.

Mr Todd, 38, of Fronks Road, Dovercourt, said he had been cycling carefully along a nationally-recognised cycling path when the incident took place.

He said: “I have spent a year of my life worrying about something that I didn’t feel was my fault.

“I have gone through a year of stress, several court appearances and I can only thank my close friends and colleagues who have supported me through this difficult time.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous that it went this far. My family life has suffered because of this and I’m just so relieved that it is over.

“I just want to get on with my life now.”

Jenny Gardiner, who co-owns Lucy with mum Brenda Taylor, of Ipswich Road, Colchester, said she was frustrated by the outcome. She is no longer angry as Lucy was successfully treated following the accident, but felt action should have been taken to prevent a repeat of the collision.

Mrs Gardiner, 24, of Providence Place, Colchester, said: “We were upset at the time because the rider did not stop, but now all we really want is something to be done about the situation in park.

“We still don’t let Lucy off the lead in that area because there are cyclists coming through at speed all the time. I think they need to put speed limit signs up or warn the cyclists to watch out for dogs.”

Mr Todd also called for more signs to be placed in the park highlighting where the cycle routes are.