'I am struggling to sleep': Dog owner heartbroken after finding pet decapitated with leg hanging off
The owner of a pet dog which was decapitated and dumped in her garden has said she is still struggling to sleep two weeks after making the brutal discovery.
An urgent appeal for information has been launched, with police and the RSPCA yet to identify any suspects in the investigation into the death of Staffordshire bull terrier Hollie.
Hollie's head was cut off and her front leg was severed before she was left in the front garden of owner Andrea Jarvis in Vernon Road, Bilston.
Hollie is believed to have been taken away, attacked and then returned, with police saying her injuries were not consistent with a dog or fox attack.
Andrea, who lives with her 18-year-old son Jack, found the dog's body on the patio in her garden when she returned home on May 19.
Ms Jarvis said: "I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing – Hollie was dead and her body had been left cut up in such a terrible way.
"We have had Hollie for 13 years and she was such a loving dog I can’t believe this has happened.
"When I couldn’t find her I expected she was curled up on my bed - nothing could prepare me for what I found – it was horrific and so upsetting.
"I am struggling to sleep at night now it has been terrible and my other dog Maise, aged six, is missing Hollie too.
"I just hope someone will come forward to the RSPCA so we can find the person responsible."
Jack shared an appeal on Facebook after Hollie was found which has been shared more than 43,000 times.
"No blood anywhere, she was covered in mud but found on a dry patio area, with no mud anywhere to be found in the garden," he said.
"Best guess is she's been used for dog fighting, taken from the garden then returned.
"I've taken her to the vets tonight to be cremated, worst thing was being asked by the police to take pictures of her and her injuries so they can pass all information onto the RSPCA.
"No words can describe how I feel right now, some people will say 'it's only a dog', but she was family."
The RSPCA has now urged anyone with information to come forward after the investigation hit a dead end.
RSPCA inspector Adam Bailey, who is investigating the incident, said the attack is likely to have happened elsewhere.
He said: "We do not know why or how Hollie was killed but we believe she was taken from the garden – where she was left as Andrea went to work – and killed elsewhere.
"There was no blood in the garden which suggests the attack happened elsewhere.
"Her head was almost decapitated and her front leg had been severed and was hanging on by a piece of skin. It seems she was then brought back and dumped on the patio.
"The injuries sustained are horrendous and this has come as a huge shock to her owners.
"We are keen to trace anyone who may have information about what happened to Hollie or to anyone who saw anything suspicious to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018."
