A dog which was stolen at knifepoint from its owner has been found dead.
The clumber spaniel named Rosie was being walked on Wednesday evening in Marshbrook Way in Telford, Shropshire.
One man used a craft knife to threaten the dog walker then a second robber pulled the owner to the ground before they ran off with Rosie.
The dog's body was discovered on Thursday night in a brook not far away from where the theft happened. Police are treating it as a serious offence.
Earlier they had described the theft as "most unusual".
The dog's owner, who is in his 50s and lives in the Muxton area, suffered head and neck injuries during the attack.
Young family upset
West Mercia Police said the man walked his dog each night, taking the same route. They believe the thieves were laying in wait.
The knifeman had emerged from a copse of trees. It is unknown where the other robber was hiding.
Rosie was an 11-month-old bitch and said to be worth a few hundred pounds.
However, the loss to the family which includes young children was very distressing, police said.
The man with the knife is described as, white, aged in his 20s, 5ft 9in tall of medium build and wearing dark clothing including a "hoodie".
He had light coloured trainers. His accent sounded "local". The second man may have had a northern accent, police said.
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