salma hayek
Actress Salma Hayek has expressed her grief after losing her dog, Mozart Reuters

Hollywood superstar Salma Hayek has expressed her grief after her pet dog Mozart was shot dead near her ranch in Washington State. The From Dusk Until Dawn actress says that her pet of nine years "didn't deserve a slow and painful death" it suffered when it was shot near his heart.

She told her legion of followers on Instagram about the incident and said she had reported the incident to Washington State Police. The 49-year-old said that he was shot over a week ago and hoped that the assailants would be apprehended.

In her emotive post to social media the Traffic star said Mozart "never strayed away" and "never bit or attacked anyone". The Mexican-born actress also revealed that she had delivered the pooch from his mother when he was just a pup.

Hayek described him as a "most loving and loyal companion" in her post that was in English and Spanish, She said: "I haven't posted for a week as I been mourning the death of my dog, Mozart who I personally delivered out of his mother's womb.

"He was found dead in my ranch last Friday with a shot close to his heart. I am hoping that the Washington State authorities do justice to this wonderful dog whom in 9 years never bit or attacked anyone.

"He loved his territory and never strayed away… he was the most loving and loyal companion. He didn't deserve a slow and painful death."

Hayek is a self-professed animal lover and only last year a US judge has granted a restraining order against two women who harassed Hollywood actress Salma Hayek and allegedly threatened to kidnap her seven year-old daughter. It is not been said that the shooting of her dog was the work of a crazed fan.

Speaking on the Ellen DeGeneres show in October 2013, she said according to Sky News: "I have five horses, four alpacas, one cat, eight dogs, one hamster, five parrots, two fish, I'm sure I'm forgetting something!

"You know this is like the Oscars you forgetting someone. Oh I forgot! I have bunny rabbits, I have turkeys, 20 chickens, same with the rabbits be careful just buy one."