Youth shoots dog dead in street

A dog has been shot dead in the street in Salford in what police say was a "brutal and prolonged" attack.

A hooded youth was seen holding a gun in the mouth of the golden-coloured Labrador cross in the early hours of Tuesday in the Pendleton area.

Greater Manchester Police said the pet had about 30 small pellets lodged in its body and died from its injuries. Its owners have not been traced.

Detectives are urging any witnesses to come forward.

'Defenceless'

The youth, wearing a dark-coloured hooded top, was seen on Ascot Walk at about 0300 GMT before walking off towards Haymond Close.

Det Insp Simon Collier, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This was a needless and brutal attack on a defenceless animal and the nature of the wounds suggest this was a prolonged attack.

"Someone may have had their pet cruelly taken away from them.

"Whoever did this may have come home in the early hours of this morning and I would urge anyone who knows who carried out this shooting to contact us."