A DISABLED widow has spoken of the terrifying moment she was nearly run over by a speeding car which dragged her dog under the wheels.

Joan Dovey was crossing Bilford Road, Worcester at the canal bridge with rescue dog Ellie when a blue car came 'out of nowhere' and missed her by inches.

But the 86 year-old's terrier was not so lucky, suffering a fractured pelvis as she was dragged along the road by her lead which was pulled out of Mrs Dovey's hand.

She believes the female driver must have known what had happened but she did not stop and it was left to other witnesses to stop and look after her and her injured dog.

Ellie will need a £2,500 operation at the vets following the near miss at around 1.30pm yesterday (Monday).

Mrs Dovey, who has lived on Bilford Road for the last 16 years, had believed it was safe to cross as the temporary traffic lights near Perdiswell Leisure Centre were on red and she did not imagine for a moment that anyone would accelerate towards a red traffic light.

The great grandmother who has had a hip replacement and knee replacement due to arthritis and walks with a stick estimates the car was travelling at around 50mph in the 30mph road.

She said: "I didn't know what to do. I was screaming 'my dog, my dog!' If it hadn't been for the extension lead - if I had had an ordinary lead - the dog would have been killed.

"The lead was dragged under the car. I thought she was dead and if I had taken another step I would have been run over.

"I was traumatised. I should be really frightened to cross the road now. When I cross I always check both ways but she just came so quickly, out of nowhere."

She was very grateful to a woman and her mother who provided a witness statement to West Mercia Police and for the help she received from people who were present at the time.

They took her home before taking her to Pets at Home in Worcester to have the dog checked over which cost her £400.

The operation, due to take place tomorrow (Wednesday), will involve a metal plate being put in Ellie's pelvis and she will also need to have treatment for her damaged ligaments at a cost of £2,500 which she is paying for out of her savings.

Unfortunately Ellie, who is described as a docile dog, bit the man who picked her up and he had to go to hospital for a tetanus jab.

Since the incident the dog squeals if she walks and has been whimpering through the night and her mood is much more subdued.

It happened so quickly Mrs Dovey did not get a clear look at the car but another witness told police it was a striking blue colour and was being driven by a woman with blonde hair.

Mrs Dovey would like to see more traffic calming measures on the road and a pedestrian crossing.

Her daughter Jan Jackson said of the woman who nearly hit her mum: "I hope she can live with herself. Why didn't she stop? Has this woman got a conscience? How would she feel if this happened to her mum or her dog?"

Those with information can contact West Mercia Police on 101.