HEARTLESS thugs stole a rabbit and fed it to a rottweiler in another episode of sickening animal cruelty in the region.
The thieves broke into a garden hutch in Horden, east Durham, and took a pet rabbit, before feeding it alive to the dog, say police.
Police said three people, all believed to be youths, took the pet from a house in the town's Hawthorn Crescent, before going to Dene School playing field, behind the property.
PC Keith Bowmaker said: "They placed it in front of a rottweiler and allowed it to be ripped to bits."
Officers are unsure whether the dog belonged to one of the youths or whether it was a stray. A teenager was arrested last week on suspicion of animal cruelty, but released without charge and bailed pending further inquiries.
Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at about 9am on September 22, is asked to contact Peterlee police on 0845-60-60-365 or the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0870-5555-999.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article