Vic Franklin, 79, suffers life-changing injuries after a severe dog attack, prompting local residents to fundraise for home modifications to improve his quality of life.
Vic Franklin, a 79-year-old resident of Bognor, faced life-altering injuries after a severe dog attack that occurred on August 18, 2023. Franklin lost his left leg, right arm, and left middle finger when he was attacked by two rottweilers that had escaped while he was walking his own dog. The aftermath of this incident has drastically impacted Franklin’s mobility and quality of life, confining him to his front room due to the lack of modifications to his home.
Concerned about Franklin’s situation, Kerry Applin, 59, has taken the initiative to raise funds for essential home modifications that would allow him greater comfort and independence. Speaking to The Argus, she expressed her dismay over his condition, noting that he is unable to access private areas of his home or leave due to his physical limitations. “I was horrified that he has to live in his front room due to his injuries. He has got no privacy in his life, he’s got no quality of life,” Applin stated.
The necessary modifications to Franklin’s home include the installation of a wet room, a stairlift, access for his mobility vehicle, and garden landscaping, with estimated costs ranging from £15,000 to £25,000. To aid in raising these funds, Applin is organising a quiz night at Nyewood Junior School in Amberly Drive, Bognor, scheduled for May 10. Additionally, a Go Fund Me page has been established, which has already received over £1,000 in donations.
Franklin’s son, Lee, highlighted the significant impact the modifications would have on his father’s life. “People have got to realise that he only has one hand. He does everything with one hand. For him to be able to get upstairs, to have some peace and quiet and to have a shower, it would be a massive thing for him,” Lee noted.
The community’s involvement and support have been emphasised, with social media posts urging collective action to aid Franklin in rebuilding his life. “Vic’s situation is dire, and the time to act is now,” one post stated, reflecting the urgency felt by those advocating for his needs.
The tragic incident that led to Franklin’s injuries resulted in legal repercussions for the dog owners. Chloe Taylor, 27, and Matthew Roberts, 30, from Chichester, were both charged with owning dogs that were dangerously out of control and causing injury. Taylor received a sentence of 27 months’ imprisonment, while Roberts was sentenced to a 12-month term, suspended for 18 months, and was required to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Both individuals were also subjected to a ban that prohibits them from owning dogs for a decade.
In light of the support from emergency services, hospital staff, and his family, Franklin expressed gratitude while maintaining a resilient spirit. “I’ve always got a smile on my face. I get down at times, but then I think to myself ‘no, I’m not having this’,” he remarked in January, showcasing his determination to persevere despite the challenges he faces.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/court-results/video-victim-recalls-horror-dog-attack-as-owners-are-sentenced/ – This URL corroborates the details of the dog attack on Vic Franklin and the legal consequences for the dog owners. It mentions the incident occurred on August 18, 2023, in Bognor Regis.
- https://www.moreradio.online/news/sussex-news/video-victim-recalls-horror-dog-attack-as-owners-are-sentenced/ – This URL also confirms the details of the dog attack on Vic Franklin, including the location and the severity of his injuries.
- https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/sussex/news/dad-used-to-be-the-glue-says-family-of-bognor-pensioner-who-lost-two-limbs-after-11-minute-dog-attack/ – This URL provides additional details about Vic Franklin’s injuries and the impact on his family, highlighting the duration of the attack and its consequences.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is the source of the original article about Vic Franklin’s situation and the community’s efforts to support him.
- https://www.gofundme.com – Although not directly linked to Vic Franklin’s case, this URL represents the platform where a Go Fund Me page was established to raise funds for his home modifications.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The incident occurred on August 18, 2023, and recent fundraising efforts are ongoing, indicating relatively fresh content. However, the narrative does not include very recent updates beyond the initial incident.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes from Kerry Applin and Lee Franklin are included, but their earliest known references could not be verified online. This suggests they might be original, but without further confirmation, the score remains moderate.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Argus, a reputable local news source, which generally enhances credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the dog attack and its aftermath are plausible and consistent with typical legal and community responses to such incidents.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with recent fundraising efforts and a plausible account of the incident. The source is reliable, and the quotes, while not verified, do not raise significant concerns. Overall, the information seems accurate and trustworthy.
