Dylan Rosenow said he was walking along Katy Ryans Road in the Canadian State Forest with the family husky Ace at 3.40pm on Wednesday when a vehicle he identified as a dark green EL Ford Falcon swept around a bend.  

While Mr Rosenow was struck by the vehicle, the dog was dragged more than 20 metres along the road before the vehicle fled the scene.   

The animal was then rushed to the Mount Clear Veterinary Clinic where he was stabilised before being taken to the Eureka Veterinary Hospital on Creswick Road for x-rays.    

Vets chose to put the dog down soon after assessing the extent of the injuries.   

While Mr Rosenow was too distressed to speak following the incident, his partner Tara Krzempek said the accident had shocked the family given how regularly they visit the area.   

“Usually Dylan would have (the couple’s daughter) Rubi with him as well so it’s really scary,” Ms Krzempek said.  “We regularly see other people and families out walking as well.

“(Dylan) is absolutely devastated.” 

While Mr Rosenow did not suffer any serious injuries from being struck by the vehicle, he was bitten on the hand by the frightened dog while attempting to carry the animal more than a kilometre back to his car.    

Eureka vet Rob Page said it was clear from the animals injuries, which included a fractured pelvis and vertebrae, that it had been struck at high speed.   

“The dog couldn’t stand and was having trouble breathing and in order to fracture the pelvis like that it had to be high impact.”    

Police are appealing for any information members of the public may have about the incident.