A Cambourne man is appealing for help after he was knocked down and his dog killed in a heartless hit and run incident.

Mental health nurse James Davidson, 46, was walking his five-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, Dante, at 7.10am on Thursday (January 24) when tragedy stuck.

As the pair were crossing a pedestrian crossing near the Hilton Hotel, Cambourne, James was hit on his right side by a speeding green Mini.

He was thrown to the ground, sending Dante, who was on a lead, flying under the wheels.

Despite losing part of his ear in the impact and grazing half his body James's first thought was to rush to his pet's aid.

James says the situation was made far worse because the driver who killed his dog didn't stop.
James (pictured) says the situation was made far worse because the driver who killed his dog didn't stop

No one stopped to help, so James ran two miles to get to his car and take Dante to the vets, by which time it was too late, he said.

Speaking today (January 26), James told Cambridgeshire Live : "I have a slice missing on an ear, swelling and cuts to my elbow, shoulder, hip and legs.

"I don't care about my injuries, I just care about Dante. I was just so angry that the person who hit me didn't stop.

"I understand that accidents happen but not to stop makes it worse.

Happier days: Dante with James' daughter Amelia

"Also, no one stopped despite me asking for help and I had to ask cars to stop while I picked Dante out the road."

The heart broken dad-of-two has reported the incident to police and is also appealing for people's help in tracking down the driver of the Mini.

James pictured with his family, who are now without their beloved pet

In a bid to get information he has also shared a picture of Dante  lying dead on the vet's table - the bitter consequences of the driver's thoughtless actions.

With the help of his friends he is trying to get the word out.

Dante's pet groomer Kara Boyd, 25, who owns Cambridge groomers Fairy Dogmother, has been helping James raise awareness of what happened by making a public appeal on Facebook.

She said: "He loved his dog.

"When I saw him today he was crying. He was grateful for the post on Facebook.

"He also has a young daughter Amelia,  they came in and gave me some chocolates to say thank you for grooming Dante and she told me  'Dante is asleep'.

Dante sadly passed away by the time his owner got him to the vets

"The car hit him first, he had the dog on the lead so then the dog was pulled round and hit by the back wheels of the car.

"He said when he got up the dog was still breathing so he scooped him up nd was shouting for help and to get cars to stop.

"It was the morning rush hour so no one stopped."

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has been approached for comment.