In August 2017, whilst driving near Horno, Sweden, Tomas, his 17 year old son Jonathan and their large hunting dog Assi, were involved in a terrifying road traffic accident. Despite extensive damage to their car, Tomas, Jonathan and Assi all survived, which Tomas attributes entirely to the MIMSafe Variocage he always uses to transport his dogs.
Tomas describes what happened:
“We were driving near our home town of Horno when an elk ran across the road directly in front of the car. There was nothing I could do to avoid it and we ended up hitting the elk, which crashed through the windscreen. The car continued to skid and eventually rolled into the ditch to finally crash against a tree. Then all went quiet…”
My son and I were both alive but we couldn’t hear anything from Assi. I feared the worst and thought that she hadn’t survived. But when we looked round, she was not only alive, but up on her feet and wagging her tail! She had survived completely unharmed. We were so surprised and also extremely relieved. The cage, a MIMSafe Variocage double cage, had done its job.”
Both Tomas and Jonathan suffered serious injuries but thankfully are now both fully recovered although Jonathan has facial scarring from the shattered windscreen.
MIMSafe always advise that once one of our cages has been involved in such a serious accident, they are replaced, even if they appear to be intact.
Tomas said:
“Some time after the accident, I contacted MIMSafe to find out what help I could get after such a serious accident. I was delighted by the incredible service I received. MIMSafe were kind enough to replace the crate for me free of charge, but even if they hadn’t, I would have bought a new Variocage. I will never use another manufacturer’s dog crates, even if they claim to be “crash tested”. They will never be crash tested to the extent that MIMSafe crates are tested, under the same conditions as an actual car accident.”
He added: “Some people complain about the cost of a properly crash tested, crush proof car crate from MIMSafe but if you have been involved in something that I have experienced , you understand that the value of a MIMSafe crate is totally worth the spend. I mean , quality costs. All the research and development that MIMSafe have put in over the years is worth investing in.”
Today, Tomas is one of MIMSafe’s Swedish ambassadors. He works as a floor paver but in his spare time he keeps and breeds Plott Hounds. His dog Assi went on to give birth to two litters. The first after the accident consisted of 13 puppies and the second litter there were 11, big litter sizes for this breed.
Tomas added “She will always be special and we are so grateful to MIMSafe for keeping her alive during that dreadful day.”
