A distraught family is appealing for witnesses after a car ran over their dog, leaving him to die in the arms of his owner.

Ruth Strzelczak, from Hanworth, is mourning the loss of her white Jack Russell, Jackson, who she says was run over by the front and back wheels of a dark Jaguar on Swan Road whilst crossing the road with her son, Victor.

She said the canine’s scream did not slow the car’s owner as he sped off leaving the 18-year-old to scoop his pup up. Jackson died moments later.

Mrs Strzelczak said: “This is a shot in the dark but it is my last hope to find the witnesses, who were standing at the bus stop waiting to board the 111 bus to Hounslow, on Swan Road.

“We need people who can identify this man – next time it could be a small child he hits.”

“My son was to hysterical at the time to look at him properly because his dog was lying nearly dead in the road and he is constantly blaming himself which is so awful,” added Mrs Strzelczak.

“Jackson was just our family dog but everybody loved him – he was such a beautiful dog and I have had so many messages from friends and neighbours who cannot believe he is gone either.

Jackson’s owner added: “I just don’t understand how someone could be so inhuman – my husband told me that the driver would have definitely felt the dog with those wheels and yet he still drove off and showed no remorse.

“He took our baby, he has made my son feel so guilty and it is just so heartless – I am begging the people who saw him to help us.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.