BURGLARS are thought to have beaten a family dog with a baseball bat as part of a daylight raid on a home in Worsbrough Dale.
Amy Barkham described how burglars broke in and ransacked her and partner Gary Sheldrake’s home in Mitchell Close sometime between 11am and 5pm on Wednesday.
After breaking into the garage, they then used mechanic Gary’s tools to enter the house via the patio doors and ransack it.
Along with the tools, a diagnostic machine and watches, they also took wrapped Christmas presents for two-year-old Max and six-year-old Lilli - along with Lilli’s quad bike.
Gary found a baseball bat in the garage and six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Butch cowering in a corner, with a bloody face when he returned home from work.
Amy, 25, said: “My partner noticed blood on the dog’s face and found a baseball bat in the garage which was not ours. We are not sure but think they could have hit the dog with that. But he is soft really - he was just cowering in a corner, obviously scared. He looks quite mean but he is more likely to lick them to death than anything else. And he stayed in the house despite them leaving the doors and gate open.
“The neighbours were in the house and didn’t hear anything, but their car was on the drive. So whoever has done it has done it in broad daylight, knowing people were around.”
The thieves also took spare house and car keys.
“I’m in shock and feel like I’m being watched. The police said there was another incident just up the road where they found one of Gary’s tools.
“Our little girl is devastated and didn’t want to go to school. We all go on the quad but really it is hers.”
A police spokesman said: “Sometime between 12-5.45pm on Wednesday evening, it is reported that a house in Mitchell Close was broken into. A quad bike and a number of other items, including tools, are said to have been stolen from the address.
“Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area yesterday is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 776 of 25 October. You can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
