A “HEARTBROKEN” dog owner wishes she had taught her dog about road safety after she was killed by a car.

Diana Siemieniuk, from Palmers Green, had been searching for nine-year-old Serafina since Thursday after she escaped through the front door of a friend’s house in Turnpike Lane.

But the 21-year-old received a call on Tuesday morning to say the Maltese had been found next to a Costa Coffee in Turnpike Lane.

Ms Siemieniuk believes her death could have been avoided if Serafina knew she was not supposed to run on the road.

She said: “I’m in bits and don’t wish this to happen to anyone, as losing a pet is just like losing a family member and best friend at the same time.

“I wish I had taught her awareness about the road because so many dogs do not know it and it is difficult to teach them when they get older.

“She probably died instantly as she had a lot of blood coming from her mouth.

“The driver did not stop to see if she was still alive but luckily, a passer-by stopped and reported it to the council who then identified her through her microchip number.

“I buried her yesterday and it was heart-breaking as I’ve had her for half my entire life. It doesn’t seem real that she is gone.”

Ms Siemieniuk believes all dogs should be taught road awareness as early as possible so other pet owners can avoid receiving the same “devastating” phone call which delivered the fatal news.

She said: “I think the biggest mistake dog owners make, including myself, is not teaching their dogs any road sense.

“Serafina had no understanding of the difference between the pavement and the road and if all dogs are taught to not go on the road by themselves, I think a lot of hit and deaths will be avoided.

“It seems like such an obvious thing but we do not realise road awareness is something we need to teach our dogs from the youngest age.”