An animal lover was left distraught when her puppy was run over by a taxi – and the cabbie drove off without leaving his name.

Nine-month-old shih-tzu Bruno-Benedict suffered a suspected broken foot in the accident in Becket Avenue, Canterbury.

His owner, Caitlyn Sims, claimed the taxi driver refused to give his details and left.

The housekeeper, 24, was standing in her front garden with her sister, Tiffany Bean, when she saw the Longley’s cab approaching. She said: “I waved at him and shouted ‘dog!’ twice to warn him but he didn’t stop.”

Miss Sims watched in horror as the car wheels ran over the puppy, injuring his foot.

She said: “I was really worried and panicky. My dog was squealing – it was a really haunting sound. I was so scared to look at him in case he was dead. He’s really badly injured. He’s not been himself since it happened and can’t stand up properly.

She rushed Bruno-Benedict to the Companion Care vets in Wincheap. She is now waiting for another X-ray to see if her pet’s paw is broken and fears the bill could top £1,000.

She added: “The driver refused to give any details and even tried to tell me he didn’t have a name.

“A lot of kids play on this street. It doesn’t bear thinking about one of them being hurt. I’m disgusted by the whole thing.”

Longley’s director David George said his driver only left the scene after being abused by Miss Sims.

He said: “She had a dog off the lead that ran in front of the car. We can’t be held liable for dogs off their leads that run into the road. The driver did stop but he was verbally abused. I sympathise with someone whose pet has been injured, but we did try to help her out.”

“I was really worried and panicky. My dog was squealing – it was a really haunting sound. I was so scared to look at him in case he was dead" - Caitlyn Sims

Miss Sims reported the incident to police, and Mr George said he was happy to leave it to them to mediate.

Police spokesman Sally Smith said: “Police were called to Becket Avenue, Canterbury, at 11.45am on May 19 following a report that a car had been in collision with a dog.

“It is alleged the driver did not give the dog owner their details. The dog was injured in the incident. Kent Police are investigating the collision.

“A dog is an animal covered by the Road Traffic Act as being reportable if you are involved in a collision with one, so failing to report a collision with a dog is an offence. Both parties have been spoken to and investigations are ongoing.”