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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Poppy Kennedy & Graeme Murray

£10,000 reward offered as dog kidnapped and set on fire by evil thugs has to be put down

A pet owner says a £10,000 reward is on offer after her poor dog was kidnapped, doused in petrol and set on fire by evil thugs, before having to be put down due to its horror injuries.

Angela Clennell's eight-year-old cocker spaniel Lucky died last month after being stolen from the family's garden along with a second dog, Sandy who escaped untouched.

The cocker spaniel, however, was callously "doused in petrol and set alight" by wicked monsters.

The dog, taken in County Durham, was later found in a nearby village, Lanchester, with more than 50% of her body burnt, and tragically had to be put down.

Now Angela says a £10,000 reward for information is on offer, for information leading to the prosecution of the culprits.

Angela told TeesideLive : "Lucky was stolen from the garden, it was around 10pm on July 27. They had come and climbed over the garden fence and took two of the dogs.

"Sandy was able to escape but they took Lucky. They dowsed her in petrol and set her alight. It was a girl walking her dog who came across Lucky smouldering in the field.

"She couldn't get a hold of her but the fire brigade managed to get her."

A new group called 'Operation Frankish' have also offered their support in appealing for information.

Based in Scotland, it has a team of volunteers around the UK and has started a poster campaign in the surrounding areas where the dog was targeted.

Operation Frankish was launched after the group say they were driven to act after watching shocking footage released by the RSPCA of Andrew and Daniel Frankish, of Redcar, abusing a bulldog named Baby - a crime for which they were spared jail.

Baby the bulldog was stamped on, headbutted and thrown down stairs by the brothers in 2016. The pair dodged jail - infuriating people who thought the sentencing options were too lenient - and inspired a campaign which has seen the sentences extended to five years.

During the campaign, the group flew a plane with a banner over the Riverside Stadium demanding jail for a dog abuse duo. Now they've joined the fight to get justice for Lucky.

Angela says she hopes the £10,000 reward will lead to a successful prosecution of those who carried out the cruel act on Lucky.

She added: "It was absolutely horrendous seeing her. Seeing the state of what had been done to her, it's just horrific really.

"She was a really lovely natured dog. She was always happy and wagging her tail. She was gentle and if you look at the picture of her you just think how could anybody do this to her.

"Since it's happened I just can't concentrate on anything else, I feel as though it has took my life over because I'm determined they are going to be held accountable.

"It's all I think about. I'm getting a load of support from people and there's been a lot of donations on what was originally for the vet fees but now it's trying to get these prosecuted.

"It's about making sure that the people responsible are prosecuted for what has happened."

At the time Lucy was taken The Mirror reported how Angela spoke out about the attack on her "gentle" and "loving" dog, saying she "will not settle" until those responsible are "held to justice".

After the incident, she told TalkTV: "Lucky was just such a gentle dog, loving and friendly.

"I just can't understand why anybody would do something so horrific to a defenceless animal. I just can't understand it.

"I just think that if you're capable of doing that to a dog then you're capable of doing anything, capable of doing it to a child. It's absolutely horrific."

Police reckon Lucky's horrendous treatment was a "targeted attack" as a result of an ongoing dispute.

Detective Inspector Daniel Peacock previously said: “We are satisfied this is a targeted attack as a result of an ongoing dispute.

“We are confident there is no wider threat to other dogs in our community and it is not linked to theft of dogs for purposes of breeding or sale."

Angela added: "People are still donating to a GoFundMe page but I'm determined now. I won't settle until these people are held to justice."

After being found the injured cocker spaniel was rushed to a nearby vets before being transferred to Wear Referrals Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Hospital.

Durham Constabulary has interviewed five men after Lucky was seriously injured.

One of the men was arrested and four attended voluntarily on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft and arson. They have all been released under investigation.

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