Dog burnt in 'sickening' attack

Lennox was in the garden to keep Cameron and Oliver Tetlow safe

A dog has been seriously injured after he was sprayed with a corrosive substance outside his owner's home.

Lennox, a five-year-old Doberman, was sprayed in his mouth and across his back and suffered internal and external burns.

Greater Manchester Police have described the attack, at Streetbridge in Royton, Greater Manchester, as "sickening".

On Thursday Lennox's owners offered a £500 reward for information that leads to the conviction of his attackers.

Vets had to operate on Lennox and remove large areas of his flesh after the substance corroded his skin.

The incident happened after Lennox's owner John Tetlow let his two sons Cameron, aged eight, and Oliver, 11, sleep outside in a tent in the garden on Friday night.

Vets had to remove parts of Lennox's flesh

Police said Mr Tetlow put the dog in the garden with the pair to keep them safe.

He heard Lennox barking and a group of about five or six people - including a girl - walk past the house in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr Tetlow realised in the morning that the dog had been sprayed with the substance.

Detective Constable Ian Thompson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This is a terrible and sickening attack on a dog that was protecting its family.

"The dog was squirted through a gate so it was clearly visible.

"Mr Tetlow is, quite rightly, so outraged by this he is offering a £500 reward leading to the conviction of those responsible for causing such pain and suffering to an innocent family pet."

Police are urging anyone with information about the attack to contact them, or to ring Crimestoppers.