A SORN man has been left devastated after his dog was struck by a car which then drove off.

Ian Drury was out walking five-month-old Star on Main Street at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 10 when she was hit by the vehicle.

The incident happened on bad corner on the B743 near to the church and now Ian wants to point out the road safety issues that have plagued the area.

He said: “I’m pretty shocked. I’ve swithered over contacting the media because I still don’t remember it all. I’m destroyed.

“I want to highlight the folk speeding and drink driving. My son’s a policeman and he’s spoken to the police [about Star]. I can’t give an accurate description of what happened.

“It’s shocking and it’s getting worse. Everyone is waiting on the death coming at that corner. There are potholes all over the road and locals are swerving onto the wrong side of the road to avoid them.

“The young ones are coming round that corner flying on the wrong side. In the dark, people are having to walk it with torches so that they can be seen.”

Ian’s son Jason posted on Facebook shortly after the incident saying that Star had been hit by “a speeding vehicle” that was heading towards Muirkirk.

He added that the driver had initially braked before driving off and that he hoped the driver would see the post so he could “understand how much this had hurt my dad”.

She may only have been five months, but Star played a big part in Ian’s life. He added: “I’m a dog man and this was my first venture into whippet racing. I’ve got to carry on. I’m not getting another one right now but what she did for me health wise was really good. Everyone has been telling me I can’t stop because of what happened.

“I’ve always had working dogs and you do get close to them and form a bond with them. Star was different. A racing whippet is about 80 per cent pet and 20 per cent racing. She was such a brilliant wee dog. I know I’ll never replace her.”

Ian came into our reporter’s surgery at Cumnock Town Hall to place on record his grateful thanks for the help and support he has had.

He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have got in touch — there have been hundreds of messages from across the UK through social media.

“In particular I have had tremendous support from East Ayrshire Pedigree Racing Club, Neil Govans, Jim Govans and Jason Drury as well as the community spirit of the people of Sorn, who have restored my faith in human nature.”