YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife couple is reeling after hearing a man had bragged about killing their beloved pet dog in a hit-and-run on Yellowknife Bay.

Tom Ruth was out walking his dog Dempster on frozen Great Slave Lake on the night of Feb. 2 when Dempster ran into another neighbourhood dog, and began playing together just shy of the Air Tindi strip near Latham Island.

Dempster was hit by a pick-up truck on Great Slave Lake on the night of Feb. 2. The driver of the truck didn't stop after hitting, and killing the dog. Tom and Micki Ruth, Dempster's owners, found out who was responsible after the driver was overheard bragging about killing the dog. - photo courtesy of Micki Ruth

Then two vehicles came speeding across the ice, racing off-road.

One truck's headlights fell upon Dempster, who was run over and killed before Tom's very eyes.

Tom and Micki Ruth rushed Dempster to Great Slave Animal Hospital, but nothing could be done to save him.

The Ruths were left wondering if they would ever be able to find out who had killed their Dempster.

Not too long afterwards, however, a worker at the Great Slave Animal Hospital reportedly overheard a person bragging to some friends about racing on the lake and running over a dog.

The Ruths have since put in a complaint to the RCMP. Const. Roxanne Dreilich said that with an individual identified, they are conducting an investigation. The Ruths and police declined to identify the suspect.

The couple said they hope to hear some measure of regret from the individual, such as a letter of apology.

"We would understand if it were an accident,””” said Micki. “”If he had taken some evasive action, or stopped and shown some sorrow. Just not caring, that's difficult."

The dog was well known in the neighbourhood, said Micki.

"He was just so incredibly friendly, he could just go up to people and snuggle," she said.

Micki said two families who had babysat Dempster before later got dogs of their own because of their good experiences with him.

The Ruths said they worry some drivers out there may be just as reckless around children playing. The couple said this was their main reason for going to the police.

"I just wouldn't feel right leaving this, if a kid was hit next time," said Micki. "There could have been a kid out there walking his dog."

Dreilich said police will likely comply with the Ruth's wishes and issue a warning to the individual the couple has identified.