An Edinburgh mum has been left heartbroken as her beloved dog was left to die in her arms after being hit by a 'private hire taxi' on December 2.
The incident took place on Buckstone Bank at 8 pm on Friday evening when Laura Kilgallon, 40, was out walking her little Shitzu Woody.
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When crossing a road in a 20mph zone next to a school the white vehicle struck the eight-year-old pooch before getting out the vehicle and claiming he never saw the dog before driving off to complete the job.
The traumatised nurse told how she was left scrambling for help as the beloved family pet died in her arms before having to go home and break the news to her heartbroken children just weeks before Christmas.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live the devastated healthcare worker said: "It was last night in Buckstone around 8pm.
"I was walking him on his last walk of the day and had a lead on - it was the retractable one. We were crossing the road near the school when he was hit. The taxi went over him and crushed him he had just been walking in front of me and it all happened so fast.
"The driver got out and claimed he didn't see him and stated that he didn't have a light on but as a driver, it is his duty to see him.
"This happened on a local street in a built-up residential area that is a 20mph zone with well-lit streets."
Laura then held little Woody in her arms as she looked for help but tragically when they got him to a vet he was pronounced dead.
She explained: "The driver then headed on his way to take his fare to their destination and I was left walking with my dog in my arms, I didn’t have a mobile phone on me and my dog died in my arms whilst I tried to seek help.
"I took him to the vet hospital and they confirmed he had gone. I’m finding it difficult to look at pictures of him so heartbreaking.
"The driver was Asian and of medium build. As it stands I don’t know if he has reported it."
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Laura and her four kids are now facing a Christmas without their furry brother and are absolutely heartbroken over the shocking incident.
She sadly added: "Our Xmas is now tainted he was the best big brother and protector of us. He was a character and our hearts break."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said : "We received a report that a vehicle had struck and killed a dog at 8pm on Friday, 2 December, 2022 on Buckstone Road, Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing."
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