A FAMILY has been left devastated after a hit and run driver killed their beloved cocker spaniel Jasmine on Minchinhampton common.

Nathan Robins, 17, was walking the six-and-a-half year old pet along with the family's other dog Sonny, a Labrador cross, on Thursday evening when the incident happened.

He became concerned when Jasmine ran off and failed to return.

His parents Simon and Sharon, who have three other children, Becky, 13, Scott,12, and Lucy, nine, went to look for her and were horrified to find Jasmine's body lying at the edge of the road about 10 yards from the Burleigh turn off onto the common.

They realised that someone must have known they had hit her, put the body on the side of the road and driven off without contacting them via the identity tag or telling the police, which is a criminal offence.

The family have been left heartbroken and Sonny now refuses to go on the common for walks.

"Jasmine was such a character, she would follow me everywhere, even when my friend came to cut my hair she would sit right next to me keeping an eye on what was going on," said Mrs Robins, of Glebe Road, Minchinhampton.

"The children loved her very much, she was so playful.

"I feel angry that whoever ran her over did not even shout out to see if she was with anyone or more to the point report it to the police.

"My eldest son who was walking both our dogs is blaming himself saying he should not have let her off the lead but what he did was exactly the same thing as he did every day so he is not at fault.

"We have made some posters asking if the person who did it will come forward – hopefully if they have a conscience they will."

Jasmine was hit between 5.45pm and 6pm.

Anyone with information should call 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident 154 of November 14.