A MOTHER has told how her children cannot bear the thought of coming home from school, knowing a driver mowed down their family puppy before speeding away.
The family were left "devastated" after vets confirmed six-month-old Yorkshire Terrier Dolly could not recover from her injuries after being run down in Alexander Lane in Shenfield at around 3pm on Friday.
Witnesses say the driver of the silver 4x4 Volvo involved in the incident drove away from the scene without a second thought for the family pet.
The dog was usually locked into the back of the house but managed to run into the road following a mix-up between owner Shae Dobinson, 26, and her brother-in-law who was visiting.
The mother of three was prepared to meet expensive surgery costs to save Dolly.
"As soon as I heard the shout I turned around casually as you do. I looked around and I saw it," said Ms Dobinson who was on her way to pick up her two boys, Tommy, seven, and Teddy, six, with her daughter Megan, three.
"The dog ran around into the car, hit the bumper and twisted around, then stayed still on the floor.
"I had her in my arms waiting for her to die. My neighbour kindly asked if we wanted to take her to the vet's. People from across the road heard it, given that my brother-in-law was shouting at the car. They (the driver) must've felt it."
Dolly had been with the family for only two months after being adopted from a London-based family friend who wanted the puppy to enjoy the family's large garden.
"She was a big part of the family which is why we're appealing for help to prosecute the people who wouldn't even stop to help take her to the vet's," added Ms Dobinson.
"My little boys are refusing to come home from school with me because they don't want to come back and not see the dog there.
"They were just hoping the dog was going to get better.
"We were telling them she'll be all right and they were waiting for her to get better and get home.
Brother-in-law Francis Wright, 34, urged the driver of the car involved to "find it in your conscience" to take responsibility.
He said: "She was a cracking little dog. She used to play football with me and my two nephews and my son.
"The driver made no attempt to stop whatsoever.
"Imagine if it was a child, which it could quite easily have been. They could have pulled into someone's drive or gone into the police station afterwards but they didn't."
Anyone with any information should contact Essex Police on 101.
