Hollywood star Salma Hayek has taken to Instagram to mourn the death of her dog Mozart, shot in the heart on her ranch in Washington.

“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,” Hayek wrote on Instagram.

• The Aussie label that caught James Bond’s attention
• Introducing ‘dormcore’, a comfy new trend

The Mexican actress posted a photo of Mozart and made a plea for police to find the gunman responsible for the death.

“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,” she said.

Hayek, 49, is a renowned animal lover and often adopts stray dogs.

Her ranch is home to about 30 animals, including turkeys, hamsters, alpacas, horses, parrots, fish, a cat and more.

-with AAP