A COUPLE have raised concerns about bike users racing at high speeds along the old railway line footpath in Penarth - after their puppy was run over by a cyclist, who did not stop.

Millie, a 20-week-old cocker spaniel-beagle cross, was left with four broken bones in her foot after the incident on the Railway Walk path - near Cosmeston Drive.

It has prompted owners Rhys and Gaynor Gambling to voice their ire over the situation, which they have called highly dangerous.

The Gamblings, of Althorp Drive, said they believe that some cyclists are using the path to try and achieve extremely high speeds and compete with each other, a view they say is shared by others.

One witness to Millie being hit, who asked not be named, also spoke out this week saying that, even prior to the incident, she was concerned about the behaviour of some cyclists on the path.

They said: "I walk the path with my dog and my son and I see this sort of behaviour all the time.

"I'm told that some of these cyclists are racing each other using a gps app, and some of them can get up to really high speeds.

"A lot of people have said to me, it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt."

Mrs Gambling, 60, said Millie was hurt on an evening walk along the path, when she stopped to talk with another dog walker. It was then that a cyclist went between them and straight over the top of the pup, leaving her screaming in agony

"I didn't hear him, didn't see him," she said. "He just shot through the middle of us."

Millie has since had four pins put into her paw and will be wearing a cast for the next few weeks, but the Gamblings say they have deeper concerns.

"Since it happened we've been told by a few people that they're afraid to go down there because of the cyclists," Mrs Gambling added.

"There's no reason whatsoever that everyone shouldn't be able to use the path safely. Cyclists have to realise it's not just for them."

The witness added: "Some people refer to it as a 'cycle path'. Its not a cycle path, it's a shared pathway.

A Vale of Glamorgan council spokesman said: "Since its refurbishment in 2013 the Railway Walk path in Penarth has become increasingly popular with pedestrians, cyclists, and dog walkers. The path is signposted with shared use signage to make clear to remind users to be considerate of others.

"Although the actions of irresponsible users of our public spaces can sometimes present problems, this is the first such incident on Railway Walk that has been reported to the council.

"The most effective tool available to the council in addressing such problems is education. We will continue to increase our work in this area and in the meantime would urge all road and cycleway users to be mindful and considerate of the needs of others."