A DOG owner has been left heartbroken after his beloved pet was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Police are searching for the motorist, who was believed to be driving a silver Citroen Picasso when he hit three-year-old Persian greyhound Bella.

The dog had been running across Rayleigh Road in Hadleigh after she escaped from a nearby home when the crash happened.

Sadly she died at the scene.

Despite owner John Bromage, 30, of Parkfields, speaking angrily to the driver, he sped off.

Mr Bromage, who works for Network Rail, said he was right behind Bella when she was hit head-on.

He said: “I was literally right behind her, I was chasing her over the road.

“She collapsed on the floor and was crying.

“There was blood all over her.

“As soon as I got to her, I started speaking to her. I picked her up and she looked at me, that’s when she died.

“It’s just heartbreaking, she was a lovely dog and didn’t deserve to die like this.

“My other dog Poppy is also really suffering now, she’s devastated too.”

Mr Bromage said Bella had suffered from a broken neck, back and a snapped tail.

He has since buried her in his garden.

Although it is not clear if speed was a factor in the crash, Mr Bromage urged drivers to slow down on the road and remain vigilant.

He said: “It’s terrible down that road, it’s supposed to be 30mph but I have seen people regularly do double that.

“I think there needs to be some sort of speed cameras along there or something to act as a deterrent.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to reports of a collision involving a car and a dog in Rayleigh Road in Benfleet at around 6.24pm on Wednesday, August 24.

“Police have been updated that the dog has since died.

“The driver of the vehicle drove off before officers attended.

“Inquiries are continuing.”

So far, no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.