A FAMILY dog is recovering after being horrifically beaten by burglars during a raid at a house in Halesowen.

The raid, at a home in Albrighton Road, happened last night (February 11) between 6pm and 7.30pm when the property was empty.

When Julie Green and her daughter, aged 16, returned home they found the back door had been forced open and their beloved pet Mila, a Bedlington Terrier, cowering in a bush in the garden and unable to walk.

Speaking about the burglary, Julie, aged 51, said: "I’m just shocked and heartbroken that someone could do this to Mila. Whoever is responsible is heartless.

"She is the friendliest dog and would greet anyone; even though she is poorly today she has been trying to roll over and wag her tail.”

Mila was rushed to a vet where an examination revealed she had been kicked repeatedly in the head and had suffered neurological nerve damage which means is unable to place her front feet on the ground.

Mila, who was bought a fifteenth birthday present by Julie for her daughter, had X-rays to determine the extent of her injuries and people have rallied around to help pay vet’s bills.

She said: "We’ve had some help with the fees and people have been helping us along. I would ask anyone who can help the police to contact them."

Chief Inspector Phil Dolby from Brierley Hill police station, said: "This is a truly heart-breaking case and our thoughts are with Julie and her daughter while they wait for news on Mila’s injuries.

"In the meantime I’ve got officers following up several lines of enquiry as part of this investigation and we are determined to find the perpetrators of this wicked crime.

"This did not happen in the dead of night − there will be people around the Albrighton Road area who could have seen the offender or offenders responsible for the break-in.

"Even the slightest piece of information could assist us, so please if you saw anything or know who did this, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Nothing was taken from the house during the raid, anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.