Yellowknife (May 07/03) - Lesley Finnemore was walking her dogs near the sand pits last Friday when a black truck ran right over the animal and drove off without stopping.

Lesley Finnemore holds up a picture of her dog Kayla. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

Her young dog, Kayla, was killed instantly.

Finnemore walks her two dogs near the sand pits because it's an open space, she said, and many others do the same.

Last Friday morning, she was walking her two dogs when a black truck came screeching along and Kayla went running after it. Finnemore said the dog and truck were out of her view when the accident happened.

"Instead of slowing down, he just carried on regardless," said Finnemore. "He saw the dog, he couldn't miss her."

Some other people there helped wrap the dead dog in a plastic sheet. "There was blood everywhere," said Finnemore.

"This happens all the time, these gangsters riding around in these cars," she said. "Next time, it could be a kid. They shouldn't be allowed to do it."

The little dog's life began and ended tragically. As a puppy, she was abandoned -- left tied to a tree in Fred Henne Park without food or water.

Somebody rescued Kayla and her litter mates and brought them to the SPCA.

Kayla remained at the SPCA for six months until Finnemore adopted her.

"She was the happiest little dog," said Finnemore. "She slept on our bed every night with her head on the pillow. She was full of life, so energetic."

After the dog was killed, Finnemore called RCMP. Police informed her there is no speed limit in that area and suggested she write a letter to town council asking for one, said Finnemore.

She has seen police patrolling the area, she added.

"I really don't know what you could actually do to stop all these hooligans."

There is no speed limit, said Sgt. Al McCambridge, but people are still required to drive reasonably, even off-road.

"You would have to be able to stop with control or to navigate with control so you can avoid any obstacles."

Those who don't drive safely could face prosecution under the Motor Vehicles Act for driving without due care and attention or careless driving.