A FAMILY has been left devastated by the death of their pet dog run down by a car while they were walking in a park.

The incident happened on Tuesday night while Simon Cattell was walking Charlie, an eight-year-old whippet-labrador cross, in Gatland Park, off Gatland Lane, Barming, near Maidstone.

Mr Cattell had to jump out of the way when a white Ford Mondeo driving across the football pitch turned and headed towards him.

He said: "I managed to get out of the way and tried to call my dog over but there wasn’t enough time, the car turned straight into him."

Charlie was put down as a result of his injuries.

The car, which has not yet been reported stolen, was later found abandoned in the park.

* See the Kent Messenger for the full story.