Woman returns home to discover intruders stabbing her dogs: Holly Vale, Marple Bridge
(SK6 - Thursday, 31 March, 2011)

A woman walked into her lounge to find a burglar stabbing her Cocker Spaniels in Marple Bridge.

At 10.40pm on Sunday 27 March 2011, a 41-year-old woman went back into her cottage on Holly Vale, Marple Bridge, after going out the back for a cigarette.

She found a man in her living room with a balaclava covering his face stabbing her two Cocker Spaniels with a long thin metal implement, possibly a long screwdriver.

The woman walked into the lounge and the burglar and his accomplice, who was also wearing a balaclava and had waited in the porch, ran off.

Nothing was taken, the woman was not injured and her pets suffered minor injuries in the attack.

The offender is described as:

• a white male
• 6 ft tall
• medium build
• wearing a black balaclava with eye slits, appearing to have a black bin liner around his neck worn like a cape
• holding a half metre thin metal object - possibly a screwdriver

His accomplice is described as:

• a white male
• medium build
• wearing the same type of balaclava with eye slits and a bin liner worn around his neck

Detective Constable Dave Moran, based at Stockport CID, said:

"Understandably, the woman was very upset to have her beloved pets attacked in this way - these are small family pets and not vicious guard dogs that posed any threat to the intruder.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who saw or knows something that might help us catch these people - so if you do, please contact us.

"Burglary continues to fall in Greater Manchester as we work with our communities to make it ever more difficult for criminals: some simple things you can do to make it harder for burglars to target your home is to ensure all doors and windows are locked and secure, ensure valuables are out of sight and make sure your house is well-lit after dark."

Anyone with information is asked to call officers in Stockport on 0161 856 9845.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: Greater Manchester

Address:
Holly Vale
Marple Bridge
Stockport
CHESHIRE
SK6