A mum-of-two and her daughter were left traumatised after a driver mowed down a beloved duck in a supermarket car park.

Alice Li was at Sainsbury’s in Kingsmead Road, Canterbury, with her nine-year-old daughter Lucia on Monday evening when the female duck - known to many shoppers at the store - was suddenly struck down by an SUV.

Having gone to Sainsbury's at about 6pm, Ms Li says the incident has left her and Lucia traumatised, and both want the driver to be held accountable.

Speaking to KentOnline, she told of her horror seeing the incident unfold as the pair looked on helplessly.

Ms Li, from Canterbury, said: “When we entered into the car park, we saw two ducks were standing on the zebra crossing just in front of the main entrance of Sainsbury’s.

“The car just in front of me was just about to reverse. She took a few minutes to reverse and I thought she would stop her car to wait for the ducks.

“Everything happened in a second - it was like watching something unreal, the duck was hit by the front of the car and then the left front wheel.

“The duck didn't die immediately, she twirled and tried to stand - quite a few people outside Sainsbury's saw this as well.

“Lucia cried immediately, the first thing I said to her was 'turn your head around, don't look at this please’ - it was traumatising for both of us.

“We sat in the car just shocked - we didn't know what to do. A guy came, picked up the duck's body and carried her away.”

Despite multiple attempts from various people to flag down the blue SUV, the female driver allegedly didn't stop.

The Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild bird - however intent may be hard to prove.

But the loss of the female duck - which Ms Li likened to “a queen” - has had a major impact on Lucia, whose favourite animals are ducks.

Ms Li and Lucia want to see action taken against the offender - describing the impact of the incident as “torturing”.

“It’s very disappointing and disgusting behaviour and Lucia and I want this driver to face the consequences,” began the 38-year-old.

“People yelled at the woman’s car to stop, but she didn't and drove away even faster, I have a strong feeling she doesn't care at all and did this on purpose.

“It keeps popping into my head, the moment the duck was comfortably standing there and then next moment she was dead on the road - it’s very torturing.

“I think we need to do something to let more people be aware of the scene, and if we are lucky, the guilty could be announced guilty.”

And Ms Li wasn’t the only one affected by the death of the bird, with a Facebook post dedicated to the aquatic creature garnering mass attention.

Receiving more than 150 comments and 400 reactions on the social media platform, various people hit out at the driver of the vehicle while lamenting the loss of the popular duck.

One commenter asked “Why are people so cruel? If you can murder an innocent animal like this what can you do to a human?”

“I saw them sitting together in a little puddle in the car park yesterday. Why would anyone do that?” remarked another.

“Both customers and colleagues stopped for a minute or two just to watch them waddling around and play in the puddles,” reflected one person.

“They've been even using the crossing while going up and down the car park!

“I hate that people can be so cruel.”

And others noted the departed water bird had been part of a couple - with reports on social media that the pair recently had ducklings.

An RSPCA spokesperson has urged anyone who may have information to call them on 0300 1234 999, noting that it must have been “a distressing incident”.

Sainsbury’s and police have been contacted for comment.