Dr Ruth Gore, of the Eastwood Street Veterinary Clinic, said she was alarmed by the high number of casualties.

"We've been getting about one or two dogs or cats a day," she said.

"You see them constantly through the year, but not to this extent."

Clinic co-owner Sharon Mudge said there had also been a number of hit-and-runs, where injured animals had been brought in by someone who had found them after they had been hit.

"If you do have the misfortune of hitting an animal on the road then please, at least, give them a fighting chance and bring them into the nearest veterinary clinic," she said.

Mrs Mudge said the high incident may be due to an increased number of vehicles on the road because of the colder, wetter conditions.

"Now more than ever, please ensure your pets are safely locked behind fences at home," she said.

One family that is counting its blessings is the Mathews family, whose dog Patch was hit on Friday.

Debbie Mathews said Patch, who sustained a spinal injury, was recovering well.

"We were lucky because the man who hit him stopped," she said.

Dr Gore also encouraged pet owners to have their cat or dog microchipped, saying it saved not only time, but lives.

"It helps if they're microchipped or have some sort of ID," she said.