A ROPLEY family are in shock after their pet was clubbed to death in what police have described as "a callous and brutal attack", during a break-in at their Gilbert Street home.

The attack was between 9.30pm last Thursday and 8am on Friday.

Having crowbarred the doors open and gained access to the garage adjoining the main house, it looks as though the intruders failed to find what they were looking for and left empty handed.

They may have felt threatened by the family dog barking, a one-year old Border collie called Red whose kennel was outside the garage. They hit her over the head with a heavy object, causing fatal injuries.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.