Seven dogs were kept in the family's kennels when a fire broke out in the middle of the night, ITV reports. A woman was woken up by her daughter-in-law who could hear the pets barking and saw the flames. As they went to investigate they faced a horrendous scene.
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Dogs 'screaming in agony' and 'everything up in flames’
The fire wasn't an accident. Police later confirmed that it was started deliberately by spraying gasoline on the animals and 'setting them alight'.
Emma Frowen, whose house is about a minute's drive from the kennels, said the dogs were "screaming" in agony after the attack.
She added:
We could see all the sheds where all the dogs were, flames as high as the house – and everything up in flames.
Wales Online writes that the animals were two French bulldogs named Gucci and Chanel – which they were minding for friends – a pregnant cocker spaniel called Poppy, which was due to give birth in three weeks, a bull cross called Yogi, and three bull greyhounds called Ice, Narla, and Ferne.
‘The dogs were on fire but still alive’
After Emma and her children arrived at the scene, two neighbours were already there and called the fire brigade. The dogs were still alive but badly hurt. Emma's sons tried to save them by kicking the kennel doors open but both burnt their hands.
Emma said:
The fire brigade came and you could still hear the dogs screaming and yapping and then all of a sudden you couldn't hear anything. They were all dead.
One dog was later found in a neighbouring field having escaped the fire, but had 80% burns and had to be put to sleep.
The fire service has confirmed to Emma and her family that it was an arson attack and that the police and fire service would continue to investigate the incident.
‘The police were crying as well’
Emma admitted she couldn’t understand why anyone would carry out such a 'sick, vile attack'.
She said:
It was horrendous, absolutely horrendous. We just haven't got any words. The police were crying as well. Everyone was just sobbing down there because they had never seen anything like it. For someone to come and do that they need to lock up because they are absolutely twisted and sick in the head. There is something seriously wrong with people like that.
A spokesman for RSPCA Cymru added:
We are very sad to hear about this upsetting incident and would urge anyone with information to contact Gwent Police. Our thoughts are with the owners of these poor dogs during this distressing time.
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