Dog shot through letterbox in Liverpool, bullet goes through animal and hits owner

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A dog has been shot dead through a letterbox in an attack intended to harm its owner.

The animal’s 36-year-old owner was outside a house on Ripon Street, Liverpool on Tuesday when he was cornered by two men wearing balaclavas and gloves.

The man ran into a house but one attacker opened fire through the building’s letterbox.

A bullet hit and wounded the dog, which died shortly afterwards.

The same bullet also hit the animal’s owner, who sustained gunshot wounds to the leg.

He was taken to hospital after the shooting, which occurred at around 10.30pm.

Police officers are searching for the attackers, who were last seen running towards Goodison Road.

“The investigation is in its early stages and motive for the attack is currently unknown and detectives are working to establish the full circumstances leading up to the incident,” said DI Paul Speight of Merseyside Police.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, or who witnesses anyone acting suspiciously in the area shortly before the attack to come forward.

“We are also interested in anyone who may have been in the area of Ripon Street and saw two males running towards Goodison Road shortly after 10.30pm.

“If you were driving and have a dashcam camera please check to see if you have picked anything up on the camera as it may be helpful to our enquiries and could assist us in identifying the offenders.”

House to house enquiries are taking place in the area and a forensics team is still working at the scene.