POLICE are investigating claims of a ‘hit and run’ incident which killed a dog.

Police received reports of a year-old cockapoo being struck on Badger Farm Road near Sainsbury’s superstore in Winchester.

The news of the incident which happened on Tuesday morning after 9am, has gone viral on social media as more than 6,500 people shared a post by a witness on Facebook.

The post read: “Whoever just hit the dog in their car and killed him on the Sainsburys Road, Winchester and did not stop, me and my mum are sat here with the owner and she’s absolutely distraught and in tears with her sweet dog in her arms. A year-old Cockapoo.”

“Be ashamed of yourself for not stopping you heartless cruel person, how could you leave someone’s beloved pet dead on the side of the road after you’ve hit and killed it.”

Police say while they are looking into reports into what happened, they have not yet spoke to the owner of the dog and are urging for other witnesses to come forward.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police, said: “It has been reported to us by a witness that a car hit a dog and the driver did not stop.

“The witnesses were a couple of women behind who stopped to help the dog and we are waiting for the owner of the dog to get in contact with us.

“We are appealing for anyone who saw this to come forward.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101.