Leave no stone unturned in the hunt for Lucky's killers

On Wednesday 27 July at around 10pm an eight-year-old cocker spaniel named Lucky was taken from her garden in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Some hours later the much-loved family pet was found with more than 70% burns to her body in the village of Lanchester, about 10 miles away from her home. She was rushed to a local vet before being transferred to a veterinary specialist.

Harrowing photographs showed Lucky with a burnt pink nose, a blistered ear and a red eye, and her paws covered in bandages.

Due to the extent of her injuries and poor prognosis for survival, her heartbroken owner - a woman in her mid-50s - had to make the difficult decision to have her pet put to sleep.

Five suspects were quickly identified and questioned by police. They have been released under investigation. A month on, there is growing concern that no one will ever be prosecuted for Lucky's death.

It has been widely reported that the attack on Lucky was an act of revenge by a group of men with a grudge against members of her family following a 'war of words' on social media.

By directing their anger at a defenceless and innocent animal whose only crime was to be owned by an 'enemy', we believe that these so-called gangsters have crossed a boundary, however. If unpunished for this, they will undoubtedly feel empowered to commit more violent crime, racking up more and more victims.

A CLIMATE OF FEAR
Lucky's callous killing has repulsed and outraged right-thinking members of the local and wider County Durham community. There is, however, a reluctance to come forward with information due to fear of retribution. Witnesses are effectively being intimidated or even terrorised into silence by a handful of dangerous offenders. This is inexcusable in a civilised society.

OUR EXPECTATIONS
The purpose of this petition is to ask the Durham PCC to ensure that every effort is made to bring Lucky's killers to justice especially as there is a wider issue at play here. It's time to send violent criminals a message that their behaviour will not be tolerated and that they will be prosecuted and punished for their wrong-doings. At the same time, the wider community needs reassurance that they will be protected from retaliation when they speak up.

Durham Constabulary have clamped down hard on the criminal fraternity in the past and that tactic has proved very effective both in terms of criminal justice and in bolstering public confidence. We would like to see that approach revisited now.

Lucky the dog was the innocent victim of an act of pure unmitigated evil by a group of men with a grudge. Anyone capable of that level of senseless cruelty will be a danger to everyone. By signing this petition, you will send a clear message to Durham Constabulary that you want her killers prosecuted and put behind bars. Monsters like these need to be off the streets.