Police issue warning to ‘hidden keyboard warriors’ over hate posts reacting to dog killed in car collision on Christchurch Road in New Milton

POLICE have warned “hidden keyboard warriors” after the death of a dog in New Milton led to hate posts online about the motorist involved.

The venomous comments were made in response to a CCTV picture shared of a passing car which reportedly struck Jack Russell terrier Rex on the A337 Christchurch Road on Sunday 9th February.

Officers attended the incident that afternoon and took Rex to a local vet, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

PCSO Alan McCaffery said the CCTV still from a nearby business had been uploaded on a local community page online.

He said this “prompted comments from hidden keyboard warriors” expressing “hatred” towards the driver.

These had been made without “knowing the facts” and with no evidence “and time needed to decision-make”.

This, PCSO McCaffery added, “caused the driver when they were made aware to fear for both his and his family’s safety”.

Having spoken to both the driver and Rex’s owner and her son, he added: “I am happy to report that both parties have spoken with each other and are both supportive and understanding of the loss.”

PCSO McCaffery also said he would educate the business involved in posting the CCTV picture.

Referring to “an unfortunate sequence of events” on 9th February, the officer acknowledged Rex was thought to have been “not under proper control” at the time.

He added: “On crossing Rainbow Bridge I say on behalf of Rex’s family, goodnight young man, have a safe journey, and mind how you go.”