A BELOVED family pet dog was left for dead by a hit-and-run driver in York.

Winston, a two-year-old Pug, was hit by a car near the Tam O'Shanter pub in Lawrence Street and CCTV has shown the vehicle kept going after the crash.

Police are now investigating.

Winston's injuries were so extensive he has lost a leg. Vets warned he may not survive but he has since rallied and has been returned to his owners Jim and Tanya McCrory and their children Ellie, Ethan and Harry.

Mr McCrory, of Regent Street, said he had been walking Winston in St Lawrence's Churchyard when his pet disappeared.

He said: "I thought he was in the churchyard but I heard a bang and he was laid in the road.

"He couldn't breathe properly and he was unresponsive."

Vets managed to get Winston on oxygen and found he had suffered fractured ribs and pelvis. The extent of his injuries has meant he has had a leg amputated.

Witnesses in the pub said the vehicle - which looked to be a small red 4 by 4 - kept going after the crash at about 11.50pm on September 14.

Mr McCrory said: "The driver has committed a crime because they failed to stop after the accident. I would think if someone hit a dog they would stop, not drive off without stopping.

"The kids have been worried about him all week."

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "The dog sustained serious injuries in the collision. The driver failed to stop at the scene and police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

"It is believed that there were a number of people outside Lawrence Street working men’s club at the time and officers are appealing for these people to come forward."

Anyone with any information is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room, quoting incident number 12140160563.