POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a Staffordshire bull terrier was killed by a hit and- run driver.

Owner Bradley Ennis cradled two-and-a-half-year-old Gillo in his arms after their walk along Knyveton Road, Boscombe, ended in heartache on Thursday.

Mr Ennis, 23, from nearby St Swithun’s Road, was crossing the road with Gillo at about 6.40pm on Thursday when a driver turned in from the main carriageway and sped up in his black Toyota Rav- 4.

The driver swerved but ran over Gillo, who is described as “a friendly family dog”.

Mr Ennis said: “He obviously saw Gillo and after he hit her, he stopped about 50 yards up the road, got out and looked at his car and down towards us and then drove off.

“I was trying to shout for him to come back but I had the dog cradled in my arms, dying.”

Mr Ennis’ partner, Emma Lavis, 20, was extremely upset and shocked at what happened.

She said: “That could have been anyone – Bradley or even a child.

“It is so sad because she is one of the friendliest dogs around here and the hardest part is going to be when the local people start asking where she is.”

The young couple don’t have a garden at their flat and will now have to find enough money to get Gillo cremated.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this collision.

“We are making enquiries and CCTV is one of the things we will be looking into.”

•Any witnesses or anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 222222.