Christchurch police are hunting a burglar who choked a pet dog, which died in the arms of its distraught teenage companion.
When four-year-old boxer Troy tried to defend a family's property in the suburb of Spreydon, the offender strangled the dog with its own lead.
He died in the arms of Tyler Corbett-Gaber, 13, The Press reported today.
Fern Gaber, 35, said her son was home ill and asleep in his room last Friday when the intruder broke in through a window.
When Troy tried to defend the property the man picked up a lead and wrapped it around the dog's neck.
"Tyler was shouting at him to `leave the dog alone, leave the dog alone', but he had to witness it. That's pretty scary for him to come out of bed and that's happening in his house," Ms Gaber said.
The dog "collapsed" and the intruder fled.
Ms Gaber said the family was struggling to come to terms with Troy's death, especially Tyler.
"He was really good with kids and he loved rugby and going to watch rugby games. He was just a good, loyal family pet and friends with the kids and a brilliant guard dog," she said.
Acting Sergeant Andrew Savage, of Christchurch South police, appealed to anyone who saw the intruder fleeing to contact them.
He was described as being of medium build and height, dressed in black and wearing a balaclava and gloves.
NZPA