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A family from Cheshire has been branded ‘guardian angels’ after rescuing a dog who they witnessed being ‘punched in the head’.
Hayley Dodd was taking her five-year-old son, Roman, to school on December 1 before being reduced to tears at a ‘heartbreaking’ sight in Ellesmere Port.
The pair live on Rochester Drive and tried to intervene after seeing a man ‘punch a dog in the head four times’.
Read more of the top stories from across Cheshire here.
Hayley and Roman then witnessed the man grip the dog ’round the neck’ and drag it across the floor while ignoring its yelps as he ran away.
They decided to follow the man to his home and believe he continued to hurt his dog after hearing ‘unreal screams’.
Hayley stated the man had caused ‘so much pain it wouldn’t stop crying’.
She told the ECHO : “He hit the dog over the head four times – punching it in the head.
“The yelps and screams coming from it were heart breaking – they were unreal.
“I followed the man […] and all I could hear was the dog screaming. The dog’s legs weren’t even on the floor, he was just dragging it along.”
Roman pleaded with his mum to come away from the man’s door, so to prevent further upset for her son, Hayley walked away ‘heartbroken and devastated’.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police confirmed the report and said they had received information regarding ‘concerns for the welfare of a dog’ in Ellesmere Port.
Cheshire Police said: “The caller reported that an unknown man had punched his dog in the street before entering a private address.
“The incident has also been reported to the RSPCA. ”
Hayley, 37, took to a local Facebook group to tell people about what she had seen, invoking anger in the community.
Within an hour, the Facebook post drew attention from hundreds of people across Ellesmere Port who got behind Hayley and were determined to rescue the dog.
As the day went on, the mum-of-one said she couldn’t shake the image of the ‘poor dog’ in pain and knew she had to take action into her own hands.
Hayley exchanged messages with the dog’s owner but after a visit to the home and further messages from concerned residents, she decided she wasn’t comfortable with the dog staying there.
Looking for help she contacted local dog groomer and independent rescuer Carol Pinchin to find out how she could obtain legal ownership of the dog.
Carol told the ECHO that she explained to Hayley: “As long as Hayley and [the owner] signed and dated a piece of paper stating that the owner is handing over the dog, and as long as there is proof the dog has been sold to you then it would be enough evidence.
“Usually as a rescue, we wouldn’t require a signature but they even had one for this so there is someone who was there to witness the exchange.”
Hayley claimed ‘legal ownership’ of the dog.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “Just let you all know, the girl has signed the dog over to me.
“He’s now safe in a foster home where he will never be beaten again.
“I will sleep happy tonight.”
The post was met with over 2,000 positive reactions and 600 comments, most of which offering their appreciation to Hayley and labelling her a ‘hero’ and ‘true angel’.
One person commented: “That’s amazing well done love. You’re such a kind soul that steps up I’m so glad he’s safe thanks to you total respect.”
A third person labelled Hayley’s actions ‘heroic’ while many others said.
One local posted her congratulations to everyone in the borough who united to ensure the dog was taken to safety.
She wrote: “Huge well done to the bravery, kindness and commitment shown by the people involved in rescuing that poor dog today and to see all the comments and support.
“There’s a hell of a lot of good people in the world and amongst them some absolute angels.
“Faith in humanity restored this eve.”
Since the rescue on Wednesday last week (November 30), Hayley said the dog has been handed into the care of a ‘loving foster home’ who will give the newly renamed Conca, named by Roman, the ‘love he deserves’.
Carol, who helped rehome Conca, said since arriving at his new home he has transformed into a ‘puppy’.
She said: “He is settling in nicely at his new foster home.
“He is not crying anymore, he’s eating well, he’s turning into a really happy dog and he’ll receive the veterinary treatments he requires.
“It’s been extremely amazing to see how many people have cared about him and I’ve had loads of messages every day asking how he is and checking in.
“He is sure to be loved and look after in his new home.”
