BURGLARS savagely killed a family dog during a raid on a house near Alresford.

Police today appealed for information after the Border Collie called Red (pictured) was fatally struck over the head.

The burglary happened at a house in Gilbert Street, Ropley, sometime between 9.30pm on Thursday, November 22 and 8am the next morning.

Her owner, sheep farmer Gordon Wyeth, said the family was very upset.

Mr Wyeth, 47, said: “We were really gutted because she was a young dog we had bred. It was like
losing a member of the family. We think the burglars were trying to get our quad bike and I
would much rather they have taken that and left the dog alone.

“It's very unusual to have a red coloured Collie and she was potentially one of the best sheep
dogs we have ever had. She had just finished her training and was tremendous with the sheep. She
always used to love playing with my daughter Claire too.”

The offenders went to the garage and forced open the doors. Red, aged one year, was in her kennel outside the garage and was hit with a heavy object causing fatal injuries.

The dog was found by a family member the following morning.  She was taken to the vet where she was put down because of her injuries.

The offenders left empty handed.

PC Emma Purser, said today: “The family are devastated by the loss of their much-loved family pet, Red.  She had been bred by the owner and was expected to eventually be put to work on the family farm, herding sheep.

“The family are shocked and distressed by the callous and brutal attack on this defenceless creature, who was chained to her kennel outside the garage and posed no risk to the offenders.”

Anyone with any information should contact the Priority Crime Team at North Walls police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.