Guard dog put down after shooting

A German Shepherd dog guarding a business premises in Essex has had to be put down after being shot.

The 18-month-old dog called Max was shot in the head while guarding a yard in Colchester on Sunday, police said.

The dog, said to be well-known to local people, was put down by vets later, said a police spokeswoman.

Police said they wanted to trace a long-haired white man wearing a blue hat who was seen running from the yard shortly after 2200 BST.