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Dog partially decapitated and left on owner’s patio

Animal charity and West Midlands Police working on joint inquiry 

Rory Sullivan
Friday 05 June 2020 17:23 BST
The RSPCA has appealed for information to help catch the person responsible for the dog's death.
The RSPCA has appealed for information to help catch the person responsible for the dog's death.

The RSPCA has appealed for information from the public after a dog was partially beheaded and left on her owner’s patio last month.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was discovered when her owner returned home from work on 19 May.

Investigators at the animal charity think the dog, named Hollie, was taken from Ms Jarvis’ garden and killed at a different location.

The RSPCA and the West Midlands Police are conducting a joint inquiry into the bull terrier’s death.

As well as her head, Hollie’s leg had also been severed.

Speaking about the horrific discovery, Andrea Jarvis, the dog’s owner, said: "I just couldn't believe what I was seeing – Hollie was dead and her body had been left cut up in such a terrible way.

"We have had Hollie for 13 years and she was such a loving dog I can't believe this has happened.

Ms Jarvis added that she was struggling to sleep as a result of her pet’s death and expressed her hope that the person responsible is caught.

Adam Bailey, an RSPCA inspector, said no suspects had been identified yet.

Mr Bailey said: "We do not know why or how Hollie was killed but we believe she was taken from the garden – where she was left as Andrea went to work – and killed elsewhere.

"There was no blood in the garden which suggests the attack happened elsewhere.

"The injuries sustained are horrendous and this has come as a huge shock to her owners.

"We are keen to trace anyone who may have information about what happened to Hollie or to anyone who saw anything suspicious to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were alerted to an incident in Vernon Road, Wolverhampton, at 6.45pm on Tuesday May 19 and the discovery of the resident's pet dog dead in the back garden.

"A joint investigation has been launched alongside the RSPCA.”

Agencies have contributed to this report

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