A father-of-two suffering from head, shoulder and ankle injuries is lucky to be home after being targeted in an alleged road rage incident which claimed the life of his family's puppy in Canterbury yesterday.
Police became aware of the incident, which involved a dark grey Nissan four-wheel-drive and a family of four near Eyreton, 20 minutes north of Christchurch, about 5.45pm yesterday.
At the time, the man was out walking with his wife, their two children and the family's 10-month-old puppy.
"We understand that the man signalled the driver of the Nissan to slow down when he exited the Eyre River crossing onto Downs road," detective sergeant Rex Barnett said.
The driver appeared to take offence at being signalled by the man and tried to knock him over.