A family has been left heartbroken after their dog died after being hit by a bus on the seafront.
The Harvey family - Tom and Sarah-Jane and their four children, have thanked the people who helped at the scene when their dog, six-year-old cocker spaniel-West Highland terrier cross Stella, ran into traffic on Weymouth Esplanade near the Royal Hotel and was struck.
Mr Harvey, 39, had been walking the family's three dogs, Stella, Beaux and Raven in the dog exercise zone on the beach last Friday morning.
It appears Stella ran off when Beaux, a Jack Russell-sprocker spaniel, was chased by another dog and ran towards the road. While Beaux was retrieved safely Stella was hit.
Mrs Harvey, 40, said: "Beaux gets nervous when she's chased and my husband said she bolted onto the road.
"Stella chased after her because she always wants to protect her.
"Stella was hit by the bus, which I've been told didn't stop."
She added: "I was working at Margaret Green Animal Rescue shop in Weymouth when Tom rang me.
"I ran to the seafront and just dropped to my knees when I saw what had happened. It's traumatising. We're heartbroken and my husband is broken."
Mr Harvey was forced to gain control of Beaux, while their third dog, Jack Russell-sprocker Raven, ran off home near the Park District.
Mrs Harvey said: "A couple helped Tom by picking Stella off the road and put her in a bag with a towel.
"We would like to find the couple who lifted Stella out of the road, and stayed with my husband.
"We would also like to thank the kind people who helped us and comforted us."
A spokeswoman from First Bus, said: "We can confirm that there was an incident in Weymouth during the morning of Friday, April 1 involving one of our buses and a dog.
"Our thoughts are with the dog’s owners and we will fully assist in any investigations that will be undertaken including reviewing our onboard CCTV footage.
"We're not in a position to comment any further at this stage."
A spokeswoman from Dorset Police said: "We received a report of a collision involving a bus and a dog on The Esplanade in Weymouth.
"The incident occurred at around 10am on Friday, April 1.
"It's reported that the bus failed to stop.
"Sadly, the dog died at the scene.
"Enquiries are ongoing into the collision to establish the full circumstances and identify the vehicle involved."
Mrs Harvey works part-time at the charity shop in St Thomas Street and her husband is a full-time carer for their eight-year-old son Leonard.
Mrs Harvey said her family struggle financially and cannot afford the £250 cost of a cremation.
She said: "Stella is now in an animal morgue at Pets at Home in Weymouth.
"We've been told the cremation cost is £250 which we cannot afford, so any help from the public would be appreciated."
To donate, visit: www.gofund.me/ac43aaf3
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel