Four odd years ago one of my puppies had an eye problem. Being a first litter of this breed nothing would do but to take him to Sydney 's top Eye Specialist in Ashfield, which is about a 2 hour drive from home.

Off we set with the 8 week old puppy in a large carry box in the back of my MPV. The visit to the Eye Specialist in Ashfield was uneventful and quick. Just a little extra tissue in the eyelid that would absorb with growth – tube of eye ointment – to placate the owner then two hours drive home.

It had been a while since I had driven in that area so when I left the Surgery and got on Liverpool Road I moved into the right lane ready to turn into Homebush Bay drive. In front was what looked like a builders Utility with ladders and equipment on the back. Suddenly it slowed right down to about 30kmph. As I had almost a kilometre to go I decided to pass him on the left, but as I tried to change lanes he began zig zagging back & forth over both lanes. I then stayed in the right lane, thinking I would stay back and give him room – by this time he was riding the median strip with two wheels, then darting back and forth between all lanes all at about 20kmph. Finally we came to the right hand turn. He was continuing straight ahead but when I signalled and entered the turning lane he suddenly swung across. Rather than have him broadside me I accelerated rapidly and got in front of him. Thereafter he tailgated me right through to the Toll Gates on the F4 following me through lane changes and varying speeds. I stopped at a manned booth and he pulled up behind me even though other booths were free. I asked the attendant if he could hold the Utility behind me up for a minute or two as he was harassing me. Did he do that – of course not. After the toll gates the behaviour became worse. As traffic increased his driving became frantic and he was inches from my rear at times and if other vehicles tried to get between us he was gesturing and waving them away.

I was getting very distraught at this time and worrying about the puppy's safety if the Utility rammed us, so I rang the Parramatta police. They decided I was out of their area and patched me through to Blacktown Police Station – who said they would send out a patrol car to assist. As I was near the Prospect turn off by then I got directions to the Police Station and said I was driving in towards assistance.

When I got to the Police Station, I pulled up right in front of the doors and the Utility actually parked just two cars down into the street. The police asked what was wrong and on telling them what was happening and that the vehicle which had followed me for 30 kilometres or so was still there, 6 officers and detectives rushed out with guns drawn to the vehicle. A female officer took me out to identify the vehicle and as soon as they had grabbed him tried to take me inside. I of course replied I can't go in without my baby who is in my car.

The officer managed to keep a straight face when I reached in and pulled out an 8 week 12kg baby Neapolitan Mastiff. She rushed me inside to a safe spot. The interviews with myself and the driver of the Utility took nearly two hours. During this time the puppy was given water, shared lunch with several officers, had 3 wees plus 2 poo's on the floor – which were promptly cleaned up by uniformed officers.

The Station Commander walked in saw everyone (except the two detectives and the “felon”) on the floor with the puppy. He took one look, shook his head and said I'm not taking it home. “Don't worry, you couldn't afford it” chorused in the background. Much interest was shown in the puppy and Mastino history etc., One of the Officers commented she supposed we were pretty careful who we sold to. I replied that we tried to check out buyers carefully and did almost everything but a police check. She smiled and said “that could be arranged”.

In the meantime it was discovered my “stalker” had a major mental health problem. He believed he had been previously kidnapped and a device implanted in his head and that the police were tracking him through that and hidden transmitters in his vehicle. He decided I was following him – although why, when he followed me for over 30kms we will never know. The end result was his licence was immediately revoked his vehicle impounded and he was sent off to a mental health assessment unit.

So knowing the “stalker” was safely ensconced and his vehicle impounded we set off home. With lots of help puppy was placed back in his box with a small bowl of ice and his toys. I had barely turned onto the road when he was out of the box. He then proceeded to crawl over two rows of seats and laid down between the front seats as close to me as possible. I stopped and put him back. It only lasted a kilometre and he was back again. We settled for that position for the rest of the drive. He obviously could tell that I was upset and shaken and needed to be close – and I really appreciated it.