Hampshire pet owner clung to his dead French bulldog after hit and run

Mike Gibbs could do nothing but hug his grey French bulldog that had just been hit by a black Volkswagen Polo, a man who came to his aid told the Daily Echo.

The driver involved in the incident that happened in Botley Road near Dumpers Drove, Horton Heath, continued in the direction of Fair Oak - with police now trying to find him.

Kris Whittaker, 37, from Eastleigh pulled over to assist Mike whose beloved pet Fendi died at the roadside. Mike had been crossing the road with Fendi on a lead when the crash happened.

Speaking to the Echo, Kris said: “I found him hugging his dog and I couldn’t pull him away from it.

"Mike was in tears, so I just tried to be there for him.”

A neighbour who saw what happened offered a towel which was used to wrap Fendi’s body and Kris then offered to rush the dog to the nearest vet.

Mike and Fendi (Image: Provided)

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Fendi was taken to Riverside Vets where she was examined but by that point, it was too late.

“Mike was just distraught,” Kris said. "The dog was his life."

Mike was handed a bill of £250 for his dog’s cremation, but he was not able to afford this as he is currently on Universal Credit.

In a bid to support the heartbroken owner, Kris set up the fundraiser the following morning which has already raised £575.

Fendi was hit by a car while crossing the road on a lead (Image: Provided)

“There had to be a way of help so I thought we should make him a fundraiser to help him otherwise he wouldn’t be able to afford it,” Kris said.

He added: “The day after the fundraiser went live I told Mike and he was absolutely speechless and couldn’t believe it had happened.

“He couldn’t get his head around how people were just helping him at this time. He just started crying.”

When asked how the extra money raised will be used, Kris added: “It will be used to pay for the cremation and any other fees like out-of-hours vets and hopefully it will help him get through this period.”

He continues to appeal for the driver to come forward.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: “Did you see this car in the area at the time? Did you witness the collision itself, or have relevant dash cam footage?

“Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 44230504171.”