Mum's horror as dog '˜stabbed' to death in Sunderland home

A Sunderland mum says she has been left traumatised after finding her dog '˜stabbed' to death in her home.
Sophie Davison, whose dog was found dead in her house.Sophie Davison, whose dog was found dead in her house.
Sophie Davison, whose dog was found dead in her house.

Sophie Davison, 21, returned to her home in Wilfred Street, Pallion, late on Saturday afternoon to discover her 11-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Pippin was lying in a pool of his own blood.

Pippin had been left at home with her other elderly dog Tia, a 13-year-old Boxer-Mastiff cross, between the hours of noon and 5pm, while Sophie visited her grandmother in hospital.

Pippin in happier times.Pippin in happier times.
Pippin in happier times.
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After discovering her beloved pet was ‘cold and stiff’ Sophie called the police and puncture wounds were then found to the dog’s throat and side of neck.

Sophie, who is mum to seven-month-old Jensen, said: “It’s been horrific, I opened the front door and Tia came skating across the floor to me, she’s old and has skin cancer, so this is not something she does.

“Then I found poor Pippin, he was surrounded by blood and when I touched him he was cold and stiff.”

Police said Pippin’s injuries were ‘consistent with those of a stabbing’ and have launched an investigation.

Sophie and her son Jensen.Sophie and her son Jensen.
Sophie and her son Jensen.
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Sophie added: “I’ve been told it’s classed as an aggravated burglary but nothing was stolen from my house.

“There’s no signs of a break-in either, so to think someone may have just let themselves in is terrifying.

“I’ve only lived here for a few months, I don’t know anyone but I’m too scared to stay here now.”

Sophie said police had retrieved a possible weapon from the back lane.

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She said: “I am just hoping that sheds some light on who may have done this, I need to know.

“I don’t understand how anyone can do such a horrific thing to an elderly dog who didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “At around 7.45pm, Saturday, December 29, police received a report of a deceased dog at an address on Wilfred Street, Sunderland.

“Officers attended the scene and discovered a dog that had sustained fatal injuries consistent with those of a stabbing.

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“The homeowner was not home during the incident and it is believed that nothing was taken from the address.

“An investigation is underway and attempts are ongoing to locate those responsible.

“Officers are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch via 101 and to quote reference number 896 29/12/18.”