Docile Leamington dog turns crime fighter

Pauline, daughter Amanda and granddaughter Kayla, two, with Missy by the now boarded up cat flap. Picture by Caters News. (s)

A DOCILE family dog turned crime fighter when it attacked a burglar trying to break into a Leamington home.

Missy, an 11-year-old rottweiler, sank her teeth into the criminal as he reached through the cat flap.

And the usually mild-mannered pet did so much damage police were able to take DNA of blood left at the scene - including on Missy's teeth.

The attempted break-in happened at Pauline Cunningham's home in Littleworth Croft while the family were away at some point in the evening on Thursday (July 19) or the morning of Friday (July 20).

They were called back after a neighbour, who had been looking after the property, saw the back door covered in blood.

Pauline said: “She's now a crime fighting dog. Usually she's a very docile family pet. It's so out of character.

“She's a big softy and a loveable old girl.”

Daughter Amanda added: “The burglar must have reached through the cat flap trying to reach the door handle.

“Because the lights were off he wouldn't have seen Missy coming.

“It looks like she grabbed hold of his arm and tried to pull him through.”

Warwickshire Police continue to investigate the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

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