A dog owner moved away after his beloved pet was 'stabbed' and no-one was convicted of the crime.
One year ago, Kyle Mason's dog Robbie died after being attacked near his home in Bensham, Gateshead. The cross breed had found his way into the back alley and returned covered in blood.
Kyle, who is autistic and relied on Robbie for support, rushed him to the PDSA hospital where he was treated. However Robbie, who had two large gashes on his body, passed away just hours later.
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Kyle said he reported the incident to police and the RSPCA but no charges have been brought against anyone. Northumbria Police said there has been insufficient evidence to seek a criminal prosecution.
Kyle, 29, said: "Robbie was just superb. He was so loving, kind and caring. He was very affectionate. He loved to play with his toys and he loved his walks.
"It's been one year since it happened and I can feel the emotions hitting me. His ashes are at home with me now but it's not the same. I'm going to light a candle for Robbie and get some flowers for him.
"It's had a major impact on my emotions and my mental health, I've now moved out of the area."
Kyle said he rescued Robbie from 'dog fighting' around two years earlier. He believes that Robbie was around three or four years old when the incident occurred on May 5 last year.
He said: "He went out of the back yard as there was no gate at the time. The landlord didn't have a gate on as it had been burnt down.
"He came back in the house, I touched him to stroke him and my hand was covered in blood. There was faeces and blood all over the place.
"I was in shock. I started panicking and crying. I rang the vets as I had to get him there as quickly as possible. The vet said to me that he had been 'stabbed'.
"They gave him pain relief and said 'bring him back in the morning'. But when I woke up he was out cold, he had died at home."
After losing Robbie, Kyle said he began having nightmares and would wake up thinking that he has been stabbed. He said decided to move away from the Bensham area due to what happened to his dog and the level of crime.
Kyle, who now lives in Morpeth, Northumberland, said: "I moved out of the area where it happened because the area was starting to deteriorate quite rapidly. There's so much trouble happening in that area. It was getting too much.
"I felt like I couldn't stay because of what happened to Robbie as well. I have bad memories in that area, that's one of the reasons I had to move. I feel better where I live now, it's quiet and peaceful."
Kyle said he got a new puppy, a Belgian Malinois named Sabre, a few days after losing Robbie.
He said: "I believe that pets are part of your family and there's too much animal suffering going on.
"Sabre's supported me through it all. When I'm upset he comes up to me and he knows.
"Having a dog has helped me through my life and the difficulties which come with being autistic."
Northumbria Police said they were made aware of a dog that had been attacked in the Saltwell Road area of Gateshead on May 5, 2022.
A spokesperson for the force said: "A full investigation was carried out into the incident, but there was insufficient evidence to seek a criminal prosecution.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting crime number 054150A/22."
A spokesperson for the RSPCA added: "Despite an appeal, no information was forthcoming, and we'd again urge people who have first-hand information about this hugely upsetting incident to contact ourselves or the police."
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