A DOG has died after being savagely attacked in a family’s garden in Widnes.

Staffordshire bull terrier Dexter was fatally wounded and his male puppy Tim, left seriously injured.

Paula Harrison, 50, of Orkney Close on the Weates estate, said: “My poor boy Dexter was stabbed in the neck, beaten, strangled and hung.

“He didn’t survive. Tim, my other dog luckily survived. He was beaten, punched and strangled.

“I am heartbroken. It is horrendous.”

The attack happened between 11am and 3pm on Thursday.

The police are now investigating.

Paula’s partner, HGV wagon driver Ben Winstanley, 34, owns a family of four Staffordshire bull terriers which he leaves in the back garden while the couple are out at work.

Millie, the mum and female puppy Rosie were unhurt and found cowering in a corner of the garden.

He said: “Dexter was found lying in a pool of blood. He had been strangled and stabbed. He had a big wound on his neck. I rushed him to the vet but he died during the night.

“Tim, the other dog had been beaten and dragged on the floor. He had scratches to his face and bruising but he survived.

“It worries me to think there is someone going round with an unstable mind to do something like this.

“It’s bad enough losing an animal in an accident or through natural causes but when there is malicious intent, I can’t put it into words.

“I've not been sleeping thinking of the suffering the dog must have gone through. It’s terrible.”

The garden is surrounded by a 6ft 2in fence.

The couple is offering a £500 reward for information leading to an arrest.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “The cause of the injuries is currently unknown.

"Officers have attended the address and spoken to a number of local residents but at the current time nobody has reported witnessing anything suspicious.”

Anyone with information should call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 177 of 9/8/2017.

Alternatively details can be given to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.