Couple return home to find pet dogs beaten, stabbed and hanged in garden

Police are investigating after a couple returned home to find their two pet dogs stabbed, strangled and hanged in their own back garden.

Ben Winstanley and Paula Harrison were met with the horrible discovery after coming home from work to their house in Widnes, Cheshire.

One of the Staffordshire bull terriers, called Dexter, was found soaked in blood after being stabbed in the neck and hung.

The other, Tim, was found cowering in the corner after also being beaten.

Dexter was rushed to the vet and later died, but fortunately Tim will recover fully.

The two dogs had been beaten, strangled and hung in the couple’s garden, which is bordered by a six foot fence.

According to the Times, Mr Winstanley said: “I was just in shock and pain. I don’t have a clue who it was. I have no enemies.”

Cheshire Police said they are working with the RSPCA to work out the circumstances of what happened. They said they are “not aware of other incidents of this nature”.