Family dog beaten to death in front of horrified children by man 'trying to save smaller pet'
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A family dog was beaten to death in front of horrified children after a man armed with a cricket bat was allegedly trying to save his own smaller pet.
The man, who was called to help after a group of dogs got into a 'play fight', beat the bigger canine over the head with the bat, eventually killing it.
Vanessa De Alvia, the owner of the dog, was at the shops near her home in Canberra, Australia, when the attack happened.
Her children had opened the door for a neighbour, who had brought round her small pug, when Vanessa's two pets escaped.
They began playing with the pug in the front yard when they appeared to become violent.
Vanessa told the Daily Mail Australia: "They [the dogs] got out and grabbed the pug.
"It looks bad in the footage but they were just playing with it like a tug of war, like she was a toy.
"My neighbour, the lady, called for her partner to help her separate them as she had the baby.
"Then 'hero with a bat' came and stated swinging [...] My son tried to tell him to use water but he ignored it, then hit my dog until she died."
The entire incident happened in front of Vanessa's horrified children.
Police are now investigating.
A spokesman for the ACT domestic animal services department said: "ACT Policing attended after the initial incident had occurred and are assisting Domestic Animal Services with the investigation into the this matter."
Vanessa said she is hoping her neighbour will be held accountable for his actions, and said her son is traumatised by the incident.
She also hopes that sharing her story will raise more awareness about unnecessary violence against animals.