A Moray couple who organised a massive search campaign for their missing dog were left devastated when they learned their cherished pet had been killed by a car, and her body thrown into nearby bushes.
Bill and Janet Lannagan revealed a callous motorist had taken pains to hide their whippet Ruby in a roadside hedge after running her over.
When the 10-month-old pup disappeared from the family home outside Tomintoul late last month the family launched a public appeal to help get her home – even offering a cash reward of £750 for her safe return.
However, following more than a week of uncertainty over Ruby’s fate, a council contractor tending to grassy verges near the Lannagans’ home discovered the hidden remains and alerted the couple.
Yesterday Mr and Mrs Lannagan, who own and run the Tomintoul Art Gallery, said their agony had been multiplied by not knowing what had happened to their pet for so long
Mrs Lannagan said: “During the time Ruby was missing so many people were kind to us, and shared in our concern over what may have happened to her – we were moved by the response.
“The worst thing was not knowing whether she was alright, for all we knew she could have been taken for breeding or fighting purposes and been suffering terribly.
“She must have been hit straight away after leaving the house, and then somebody had thrown her into the bushes and made an effort to hide her.
“If we’d only known what had happened we would have been spared a lot of anguish.”
She added: “Whoever hit Ruby could have informed the police anonymously, they wouldn’t have needed to face anybody in person.
“We are still very upset and we just don’t want any other dog owners to go through what we have.”
Mrs Lannagan said Ruby’s former playmate, seven-year-old whippet Bijou, was missing having her around, and has spent a lot of time sniffing around her burial plot in the garden.
A Scottish SPCA spokeswoman added: “Any road traffic accidents involving a dog must be reported to the police within a reasonable amount of time.
“We are very sorry to hear of this dog’s death and our thoughts are with the family.”