Dog killed at Station St home in Lalor

A cruel brute has broken into a Lalor backyard and viciously attacked and killed a defenceless puppy. Police are urging the public to help track down those responsible.

A puppy has been killed in a targeted attack on a Lalor home.

The heartbroken owner of a puppy killed in its backyard has pleaded with the public to help police track down those responsible for the evil act.

Boss, a three-month-old American staffy was found dead at its Station St home in Lalor after sustaining significant head injuries on Grand Final day.

Martin who didn’t want his surname published, arrived home from the Melbourne Show and immediately knew something was wrong when Boss didn’t welcome him at the door like usual.

“I went out to the backyard with my kids and saw that Boss had been viciously trashed or hit with something, like squashed his head,” he said.

“There was blood all over the backyard, he might have tried to escape (when he was being attacked).”

A 17-month-old staffy named Bella was secured in the backyard along with another three-month-old American staffy named Diesel, both of which were unharmed.

Martin said Diesel, which would have witnessed the attack on Boss, was shaken by the attack.

“It’s very sad for Diesel; he won’t go out to the back unless he’s with the older dog. Even if we leave the house for five minutes he starts yelling and screaming for us. It’s taken a toll on him,” he said.

It’s understood an unknown offender climbed the fence into the backyard of the house before purposely moving a CCTV camera to not be caught and attacked the defenceless pooch.

Detective Senior Constable Matt McKenzie said Boss’ body was further “seriously assaulted” after he died.

“It’s really distressing … this is clearly a shocking crime. It’s not only deeply personal affinity towards the victim but also extremely concerning and disturbing to the police,” he said.

“We believe this is targeted towards the victim and the family.”

Martin said he couldn’t fathom why anyone would attack a defenceless puppy.

“He was only a little boy so anyone who came in the backyard he would come up and want to play, he wouldn’t know any different,” he said.

“He was a very affectionate dog; I honestly don’t know how anyone could have done it.”

Detective McKenzie said he “truly believes” someone in the community knows who is responsible for killing Boss.

“I encourage anyone out there to call Crime Stoppers and tell their story. It was Grand Final day and a lot of cars were travelling along Station St. I ask people to cast their mind back to that day and reflect on any suspicious people behaviour or vehicle they may have seen in the vicinity,” he said.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.