Dog dies after fireworks yobs attack kennels

Oct 30 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

A DOG has been killed after a gang of teenage yobs threw fireworks into a Lanarkshire boarding kennels at the weekend.

Buddy, a 10-year-old Rottweiler, suffered heart failure after he was hit with a firework early last Sunday evening during the attack on the Orbiston Kennels in Bellshill.

Devastated Janet Perrie, owner of the kennels, this week spoke of her ordeal.

She told the Advertiser: “A number of youths began to congregate around the kennels just as it was getting dark about 5.30pm.

“The group had been setting off the fireworks and they then began to throw them over the 6ft-high fence and trees which surround the kennels.

“Both myself and my staff were terrified and I called the police.

“If it wasn’t one of the dogs that was going to get hurt it would have been one of us.

“About an hour later, more fireworks were thrown over and one hit Buddy who was lying on the patio.

“He was an older dog and that, combined with his injuries, meant his heart just failed.

“The police arrived shortly after we called them but the youths still continued with their attack. ”

Janet, whose business provides boarding accommodation for up to 40 dogs and cats and has pet dogs of her own, added: “There is a clear youth problem around this area. Almost every night we have gangs of between 30-40 youths who congregate just outside my house.

“These children are making life hell as they throw broken bottles into the property, and they pull down fences, shout and threaten me when I ask them to move.

“I am at the end of my tether and don’t know what to do about it anymore and now it has come to this with one of my dogs having been killed.

“We continuously call the police, but when they attend the youths see the car coming down the road and vanish into the woods, or across the field.”

Police said they attended the kennels which are just off Motherwell Road after receiving complaints from members of the public.

Officers followed some of the youths on foot and also used the dog unit to apprehended the youngsters.

Constable Allan Wylie from Bellshill Police community safety department said: “Every year the emergency services issue health and safety warnings relating to the use of fireworks but, unfortunately, there are some people within our communities who fail to heed such advice.

“They are the ones placing the welfare and safety of residents and animals in our communities at peril by their totally reckless acts.

“On this occasion a Rottweiler dog died after being subjected to a prolonged fireworks attack on premises which provide a sanctuary for animals.

“The youngsters not only placed themselves in danger but placed nearby residents in peril.

“Officers from Strathclyde Police will thoroughly investigate all incidents relating to misuse of fireworks diligently and offenders will be dealt with appropriately."

Four people have been arrested and charged in connection with an incident and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.