Family Guy shocker - Brian Griffin dead! Hilariously beloved TV dog hit by car, Twitter fans mourn animated death with 'RIP' tweets [VIDEO]

Spoiler alert - ladies man (well, ladies dog) Brian Griffin DIED on last night's shocking episode of "Family Guy" (Nov. 24). The poor pup (voiced by show creator Seth MacFarlene) was tragically struck by a car and ultimately passed away from his injuries. The beloved TV dog starred on the hit animated sitcom for 11 seasons.

UPDATE: 'Family Guy' countdown to 'Brian Griffin's special announcement' a HOAX! Deceased dog will NOT return from the dead as 'Christmas Miracle' around December 6? 

Brian Griffin's death shocks 'Family Guy' viewers, fans protest grisly passing with Facebook petition: Proof that TV dog is dead, not coming back, welcome Tony Sirico as Vinnie 

Brian Griffin dead, saddest day in 'Family Guy' history sparks viral #RIP memes and merchandise on Twitter [PHOTOS]

Fox warned viewers that a main character was biting the dust on this weekend's episode - but who would've thought it'd be Brian!

Stewie Griffin was ready to go back in time and prevent the accident, but he'd JUST taken apart his time machine. Therefore, he was unable to save the bloody and bruised Brian:

Twitter fans were devastated:

@jstreet22: "Family Guy won't be the same anymore! Brian Griffin died! RIP Brian!"

@CT89_: "RIP Brian Griffin. Sending one up for the Griffin family, especially Stewie."

@Cujo516: "RIP Brian Griffin... made Family Guy what it was and is #familyguykilloff #lifeofbrian #sosad."

@cughmille: "RIP BRIAN GRIFFIN MY DOG LOVER'S HEART GOES WITH YOU."

@siimplyjenn: "Shed a few tears watching last night's episode of Family Guy - RIP Brian Griffin."

@Chase__Welch: "RIP Brian Griffin. Now Family Guy is ruined."

@XtineGamboaFTW: "WAAAAAAA whyyyy. RIP Brian Griffin. :(( why can't it be Chris or Meg or Joe?!? waaaa :("

‏@ronnoC1990: "RIP Brian Griffin my favorite dog ever #unbelievable #BringBackBrian."

@J_Dunkle: "Really gonna miss Brian Griffin. He dated a lot of human girls which is kind of weird. Needless to say, he didn't go to heaven. RIP."

@einberg_kristi: "RIP Brian Griffin?? WHAT IS THIS? NO FREAKING WAY!!! #familyguy you better bring him back!!"

"Family Guy" executive producer Steve Callaghan tells E! Online, "This was an idea that got pitched in the writers room and it sort of caught fire, and we thought it could be a fun way to shake things up... We started talking about what the next couple episodes could be and we got very excited about the way this change will affect the family dynamics and the characters."

According to Callaghan, killing off a human family member would be "too traumatic," so writers settled on the dog. Fellow cast members Mila Kunis and Seth Green were "surprised" by the news, but "glad it wasn't them."

Are Mstars fans utterly shocked and heartbroken? Or do you think Brian will make a surprise comeback (in ghost-form, perhaps?).