Heartless burglars stabbed a pet dog three times with a machete as they broke into a house.
Boo, a five-year-old Shar-Pei, was found by her devastated owner, Maggie Burgess, in a ‘bloodbath’ at their home in Beswick.
The thieves stabbed her in the head, neck and back and she is now due to undergo major surgery. Thankfully, vets don’t think her condition is life-threatening.
Maggie, 57, who has had Boo for just six months, believes she was attacked because she bravely tried to defend her home - and may have attacked the burglars.
She said: “She is an absolutely amazing dog - everyone loves Boo.
“She eats, drinks, sleeps, snores and walks, and she absolutely loves her life. She’s a big softy.
“There was no need to do what the burglars did, but these people are not human beings. Sick is not the word for them and Boo could easily have been killed. The vet said she must have had a guardian angel to survive because she lost an awful lot of blood.”
Maggie, who lives near the Etihad Stadium, released distressing images showing Boo’s horrific injuries and pictures of her crime scene front room. Boo is at a specialist veterinary practice in Bolton. Police are investigating.
The burglars ransacked the house, escaping with cash, after breaking a kitchen window.
Maggie said vets believe a machete was used and told tearfully how she returned home at 8.15pm on Saturday to find Boo had been bludgeoned. She said: “I saw her just stood between the blinds and the front window.
“She looked agitated and then I found the front door was open. She was dripping in blood. There was blood everywhere - it was a bloodbath.
“I was just cuddling her and didn’t know what to do at first. My first thought was to ring a neighbour then I rang the police. They were brilliant.
“The police said it was a vicious attack on Boo and they organised the pet medics. They are going to operate just to see the extent of her wounds, but you could see her skull.
“She is a brilliant dog and I think she has probably tried to defend her home. She does not bite, but she may have done on this occasion.
“They could have just opened the front door and she would have walked out. We just can’t believe it really, but the vets said that they do not think that it’s life-threatening.”
Maggie appealed for anyone with information to come forward and help the police. She added: “No words can describe what I walked into. It was horrific.
“There was blood all over the windows, like someone had been bleeding to death and trying to escape. It was like walking into something out of a horror movie.”
Later she added on a Facebook post, Maggie added: "Morning everyone just a little up date on our Boo boo. She's not had surgery as yet as they are awaiting for a soft tissue specialist to come and see her first she's had a comfortable night has an antibiotic drip in and is still on mega pain relief.
"The vet had me in tears telling me how big & brave my little girl is (not that I don't already know that) he said she's an absolute brilliant patient just chilling and being nosey ..lol thank you all so so much for your support folks I will keep you all informed as soon as I hear anything else much love to you all."
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were called to the house and an investigation was underway.
Hundreds of well-wishers have spoken of their fury over Boo’s attack.
A Facebook group called ‘Justice For Boo’ has attracted more than 5,000 members and a social media fundraising appeal has raised £830 to help Maggie with any veterinary bills.
Complete strangers have been outraged. Writing on Facebook, Joanne Taylor, from Stockport, said: “I don’t know Boo or the family but this has shocked me to the core. It is despicable.”
Paul John Cable, from Bury, called the burglars ‘evil scum’. He posted: “Anyone who can harm any animal or child is the scum of the earth. Hope the police catch them.”
Leah Hanna, who started the Facebook group, also launched the fundraising appeal to help with Boo’s recovery.
She said: “To come home to find your dog, a family member, beaten so badly must be one of the worst feelings ever, like a scene from a nightmare.”
Owner Maggie thanked the public for their concern. She added: “I cannot express how grateful me and Boo are.”