TWO dogs were dragged to their deaths behind a 4x4 after their unsuspecting owner didn't realise they were tied to the back of the vehicle.
The owner's wife had reportedly temporarily secured the Rottweilers to the rear of the silver 4x4 before he travelled more than a mile in it.
Alarmed members of the public who witnessed the animals being dragged along called police.
One dog was found dead in the road and the other later had to be put down due to its injuries, Sussex Police said.
The man is believed to have broken down at the scene in tears telling officers repeatedly that he didn't know the dogs had been tied to the car by his wife.
One local said: "It was horrible. He knew the pain the dogs must have gone through and it was obvious how much he loved them.
"The police officers realised it wasn't an act of callous cruelty as soon as they saw the owner's face."
A police spokesman said: "It is believed the Rottweiler dogs had been temporarily secured to the back of the vehicle by one owner and then the other owner drove off unaware that the dogs were there."
Police described the deaths as a "very tragic and distressing accident" following the incident in the Pound Hill area of rawley, West Sussex, at around 3.30pm on Saturday.
It is understood that the couple will not face any criminal charges over the deaths, and the RSPCA have been notified.
Inspector Zahid Khan, of Sussex Police, said: "This is a very tragic and distressing accident for all concerned.
"Sussex Police will not be investigating the incident."