The drivers of two off-road buggies failed to stop after they both hit a beloved young dog, which tragically died later from its injuries.

Debbie Woodcock was walking her two-year-old pup, Ruby, with her husband when the devastating incident happened in Trottiscliffe Road, Addington.

She believes her pet Frug - a cross between a French bulldog and a pug - was spooked by the sound of two off-road buggies coming along the road at 3.30pm on Saturday.

Ruby walked into the road and was hit twice by the vehicles - leaving her with internal injuries.

But they were horrified the drivers failed to stop, which they legally must do if they hit a dog.

The couple rushed the little pup to Mote Park Veterinary Surgery but she died two hours later, leaving Mrs Woodcock, her husband and their three children devastated.

The mum, 43, has since told how she believes the riders hit poor Ruby “unintentionally” but she cannot understand why they did not stop.

“We just took the dog for a little walk and we were just about to come home,” she said.

“There’s a little bridge where we would usually put the lead on and these off-road buggies just came tearing around the corner and I don’t know if Ruby got spooked, but she just ran out.

“The first one hit her, she went under the wheels and the second one hit her too and she went under like a rag doll.

“They just sped off and there was no way they couldn’t have known she had been hit.”

Mrs Woodcock and her husband were left in shock and desperately needed to get her treatment.

“The most horrific thing about it all was that I could see she was dying and struggling to breathe,” she added.

“When we got her to the vets, they stayed open for us.”

The vets at the Mote Park surgery told her that Ruby had internal injuries, including punctured lungs and a ruptured hernia.

She sadly could not be saved and died two hours following the incident.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating. He added: "Kent Police was called on Saturday, February 13 regarding a collision at around 3.30pm involving an off-road buggy with two male occupants and a dog on Trottiscliffe Road, West Malling.

"It is reported the vehicle, which is described as having a roll cage, failed to stop following the collision and the dog subsequently died from its injuries.

"Enquires into the incident are continuing and officers are urging anybody with information that may assist to call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 13-1121."

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