Road safety plea after dog killed in hit-and-run

A woman who was "heartbroken" after her dog was killed in a hit-and-run collision is highlighting the dangers of speeding vehicles.

Lee Wray-Davies, 44, said a vehicle, which was being driven "extremely fast", struck her blind cocker spaniel on the A686 in Langwathby, Cumbria, on 6 June.

Cumbria Police said it was trying to trace the driver of a rusty-coloured orange pick-up vehicle which hit the dog, called Kim.

Mrs Wray-Davies believed her dog "wouldn't be the last to be hit or injured on this corner" as she urged Westmorland and Furness Council to act on speeding drivers.

The council said the issue would be passed to its highways team for an officer to be allocated.

Mrs Wray-Davies was taking three of her dogs for a walk when the pick-up vehicle travelled around the corner "extremely fast and very, very close to the kerb".

She said she "couldn’t move her dog quickly enough" and Kim was struck and seriously injured.

"I shouted stop. They slowed down and obviously knew. I was shouting quite loudly.

"They just sped off, went and never stopped."

"Because of her injuries Kim had to be put down on the Saturday," Ms Wray-Davies added.

“Unfortunately I just feel that my dog won’t be the last to be hit or injured on this corner if it carries on like this," she said.

"We see so many cars — and motorbikes — come very fast around that corner.

"It’s a young village with lots of families and I’ve spoken to a lot of parents who are scared about children crossing the road.

“Something needs to be done," Mrs Wray-Davies continued, adding the road had become "more and more dangerous".

"I’m heartbroken about my dog and that somebody didn’t stop.

"God forbid it’s worse in the future with a child or a cyclist or somebody else," she said.

Mrs Wray-Davies said she met police and flagged the road safety concerns.

CCTV footage is being sought of the hit-and-run and anyone with information has been asked to contact Cumbria Police by calling 101.

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