Gang kills dog and attacks owner

A 13-year-old boy is being questioned over a knife attack on a disabled woman who confronted a gang she believed killed her pet dog in Liverpool.

The 38-year-old found her Yorkshire terrier, Willow, dead after earlier letting it out in her garden at Snowberry Road, Yewtree, on Sunday.

She then saw four men who forced her into the house and attacked her with a blade, causing numerous lacerations.

An 18-year-old man has also been arrested and is being questioned.

Both teenagers are being held on suspicion of assault and cruelty to animals.

The victim, who has a physical disability, was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment of her injuries and later released.

CCTV footage

Merseyside Police have stepped up patrols in the area and are looking at CCTV footage from the area.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place to establish the cause of the dog's death.

Det Insp Rob Hill said: "This was a particularly vicious attack that resulted in a woman being both physically and verbally assaulted.

"Detectives are trying to establish the motive for the attack and they are speaking to as many people as possible in the area to catch the offenders.

"We are acting on every bit of information we're getting through no matter how small. We will not rest until we find those responsible for this incident."

The offenders are all described as white, wearing dark coloured clothing with their faces covered.

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