Burglars shoot pet dog

The Staffordshire bull terrier later died of its injuries

Burglars who shot the pet dog in front of its owner before attacking her boyfriend with a knife, are being hunted by police.

The 19-year-old woman was at home with a young Staffordshire bull terrier in Hollingworth, Greater Manchester, when several masked men broke into the house on Friday at 2030 BST.

The men, carrying a gun and a large knife, threatened the woman and shot her dog, which later died of its injuries.

A 21-year-old man, believed to be the woman's boyfriend, was then attacked with a knife when he returned to the house with his brother.

Knife wounds

He was later treated in hospital for knife wounds to the arms.

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said there was nothing to suggest the incident was anything but a random burglary.

She added: "The victims of this incident have been left extremely distraught, particularly the young woman who witnessed the dog being killed in front of her."