A Newcastle family have had to say goodbye to their “beautiful” dog after she was allegedly bashed by a group of people while waiting outside a shopping centre for her owner.
Sasha, a nine-year-old rottweiler, was on a routine walk with her owner Phil on Friday, following the same route they had taken almost daily since she was a pup.
At around 12pm, Phil tied Sasha up to a tree on Steel Street outside Marketown while he ran inside to grab a few things. Just 15 minutes later, he came back outside to find Sash suffering from serious injuries.
Phil’s niece Mikaylah told Yahoo News her uncle had walked past a group of about 30 young people, who “harassed him” as he passed by.
“Phil ignored them as they were mouthing off at him,” she said.
“Phil tied Sasha underneath the tree area to go into the shops quickly as he has done so many times before. When he came out a lady approached Phil and said what happened. We hope this lady can come forward.”
After getting Sasha home, she proceeded to get worse and was rushed to the vet the following day where she was tragically put down.
The incident occurred outside Marketown in Newcastle West. Source: Google Maps
Sasha’s family heartbroken over ‘act of violence’
In a statement provided to Yahoo News, the family expressed their shock and devastation over what they said was a “heinous” attack.
“Sasha was more than just his dog, she was his [Phil’s] world as he was hers,” the statement read.
“She never left his side, they were always together walking around Newcastle. If you had the opportunity to meet Sasha on her walks, she would of loved to bark to say hi.
“She was a beautiful girl who we all loved so very much. We just want who did this to be held accountable and punished for this heinous attack on Sasha who did absolutely nothing to these kids to warrant such an attack.
“Sasha died a painful death that she did not deserve, no animal should.”
The family thanked the community for their support, but said Phil was too traumatised to respond for the time being.
NSW Police is investigating and is appealing for any witnesses or anyone who has any information about the attack on Sash to come forward.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or via their website. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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