Owner left devastated after dog stabbed by burglar at Wednesfield break-in
The devastated owner of a dog who was stabbed during a burglary at his Black Country home said the death of his 'rock' has left him in bits.
Karl Bates' dog Jake died four days after he was attacked by the intruder at his home in Neachells Lane, Wednesfield, on January 24.
Jake, a collie cross Labrador, received stab injuries to his leg and the back of his head, before he died in his owner's arms on January 28.
West Midlands Police is investigating the burglary but as of yet no arrests have been made.
WATCH: Owner Karl stunned by global support
Karl launched a Facebook appeal to track down the culprit on Monday – which has been shared more than 140,000 times, leaving Karl overwhelmed by the support.
The 35-year-old said: "I came from work at around 5pm and walked through the door – I saw my television was missing and all the doors were open.
"I saw Jake was slumped on the sofa – he was just lifeless. I called out the vet and he noticed wounds on Jake's leg – we did not notice the one at the back of his head as it did not bleed out, it had stabbed his spinal cord.
"He died in my lap on Monday. If the burglar had said I am going to stab your dog if you don't give me the television – I would have given him the television.
"This was Jake's home, this was his house. He did not know – as far as he was concerned he was doing the right thing. He was looking after his home.
"He was a great dog, he was a 'boster'. Jake was a big gentle beast – his nickname was the big spoon, because he was soft and stupid. We would roll around, wrestling on the floor. We would throw each other around.
"We had some good fun over the years – he was my rock.
"I had Jake for 12 years as I rescued him. It has left a big hole in my heart. I walked in the house the other day and shouted for him – then realised he was not there anymore.
"His death has left me in bits – just thinking about it upsets me."
'I am amazed'
Karl added: "I am amazed. The amount of condolences and heartfelt sympathies from people – I have had more than 1,000 personal messages through Facebook from people I don't even know, from America and Australia.
"It has just been brilliant. I never expected it to get this far, I thought it would be a few hundred people and my friends in Wednesfield but it has gone crazy.
"But all I can do is thank everyone who has shared the appeal. It has definitely resonated with a lot of people – it has struck the heart core of a lot of people.
"I am just hoping they find who is responsible – it is just a waiting game now."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating a report of a burglary at a house in Neachells Lane in the Wednesfield area of Wolverhampton just before 5pm on Thursday 24 January.
"A dog was attacked in the house and has since sadly died from its injuries."
The force confirmed today that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call officers on 101, quoting incident number 20WV/20227V/19.
