A LEOMINSTER family is calling for justice after cruel thieves violently killed their beloved pet dog.

Susan Gillum, 49, and Ted Gillum, 73, discovered 10 year-old sheep dog Shep dead beneath a caravan on their land, just outside Leominster back on June 12.

They initially thought he had been knocked over but soon discovered the grim reality that Shep had been purposely and fatally wounded to the neck.

Further searches of the property later revealed that a number of power tools had also been stolen from a nearby outbuilding.

Now the family is urging anyone with any information to contact police and help find those responsible for the 'barbaric' attack.

Mrs Gillum said: "We didn't know that it was a burglary to start with. We had buried Shep before we noticed that somebody had broken the fence and there was tools missing including strimmers and chainsaws.

"My daughter bought Shep 10 years ago for her dad for his birthday and he's been a loving friend to him ever since.

"It is still heart-breaking. We thought maybe he had been knocked over or something and looked everywhere. We couldn't find him and then my partner said 'maybe he is down in the field'. We took the binoculars out and spotted him under the caravan."

The devastated family had prepared a grave for Shep before discovering the violent wound that had been inflicted.

"Their intent was to come and burgle the house, and they weren't intending to kill a dog but obviously they did," said Mrs Gillum.

"My thinking was how sick and barbaric it was. If Mr Gillum had walked round the corner would they have knocked him round the head and left him for dead?

"It's just so cruel. We just want justice for him because how many more times will they do this and do the same again to someone else?"

An 18-year-old was arrested in connection with the attack but has since been released without further charge.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police by calling 101.