A FAMILY are living in fear after sick intruders killed one of their pet dogs by plunging its head into a bucket of acid.

Bronson, a Staffordshire bull terrier, suffered horrific injuries in the senseless attack.

Police officers were shocked by the appalling levels of cruelty and described it as a “vile crime”.

Devastated owner Kerry Chambers, 27, believes the dog was snatched from her Alresford home, before being killed.

The dead animal’s body was then dumped back in her garage, where she discovered him after taking her children to school.

She said: “They hadn’t done it in the garage, so they must have taken him away and then put him back. It was awful.”

She said he had suffered horrendous head injuries, adding: “The vets said it looked like someone had dunked him into a bucket of acid.

“The pictures I had to give to the police are horrific.”

Mum-of-four Kerry fears the people who carried out the attack could have a grudge against her family.

Bronson was stolen while they were all sleeping.

Kerry continued: “I just need to know who has done this, so they can be prosecuted.

“I’m worried it could be some kind of vendetta. The children are distraught. They are scared, because we don’t know if we are in danger being in the house.”

Kerry, of Cox Road, chose Bronson when he was a two-day-old puppy and had him for seven years.

She has been left traumatised by the gruesome attack.

Kerry said: “The vet said they had never seen anything so horrific.”

The family have two other dogs – Lana and Charlie – but Kerry says Bronson is irreplaceable.

She said: “He was such a friendly dog. I’ve got four children and he was brought up around them. No one could ever replace him. Bronson was part of the family.”

Police are now investigating the attack. PC Ryan Weavers said: “This is a horrific and vile crime. I am extremely keen to hear from anyone who may be able to help with this investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact Walton police on 0300 3334444, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.