11:51AM, Wed Aug 29, 2012

Thugs Shoot Grandmother's Pregnant Dog In The Street

By Hugh Macknight Location: Sunderland

Vile yobs fired shots at Julie Evans whippet cross Puppy, leaving a pellet lodged in her left back leg.

Julie, of Ruskin Avenue, Easington Lane, Sunderland, heard her pet's yelps from her back garden as the dog tried to get back inside.

Julie managed to remove the pellet herself, but said Puppy has been left feeling anxious since the attack.

The dog owner added that she is stunned somebody would choose to hurt her beloved pet.

“I just don’t understand it because all of the kids around here know her,” said the 50-year-old, who has four children and two grandchildren.

“Why would anybody do this?

“I’ve been asking the kids around here if they know anything about who did it.”

Puppy, who has already had a litter of seven puppies, is expecting once again.

Now Julie is urging anyone with any information to come forward so she can try to understand why the attack was carried out.

She said: “I’m gutted this has happened.

“Even if somebody sends me a note anonymously I want to know why they have done this to her.”

Puppy was found injured between 9.30pm and 10pm last Wednesday.

Police have launched an investigation to trace the thugs and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Between 9.30pm and 10pm on Wednesday, August 22, a dog was shot in the back left leg with an air gun.

“Inquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information regarding the attack should call on 101 ex 69191 or

Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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