Petition pushes for answers over dog shot dead by police in Hartlepool

A petition backing calls for an inquiry into the shooting of a dog has added more names to its campaign in the wake of a vigil.
Dog in Mainsforth Terrace before it was shot by policeDog in Mainsforth Terrace before it was shot by police
Dog in Mainsforth Terrace before it was shot by police

Scores of supporters of the Justice for Angel campaign turned out in Mainsforth Terrace, Hartlepool, on Sunday - close to the spot where the dog was shot dead by Cleveland Police on Sunday, January 21.

The Caucasian shepherd was destroyed by officers after she was left tied to a pole, with the force defending its decision, saying it was taken following discussions with a number of veterinary professions, the RSPCA and a rehoming charity.

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill was presented with a scroll with Angel's story on it by Justice for Angel group members Jenna Davies, left, and Lynn Williamson, right, during the Justice for Angel event held at Mainsforth Terrace.Hartlepool MP Mike Hill was presented with a scroll with Angel's story on it by Justice for Angel group members Jenna Davies, left, and Lynn Williamson, right, during the Justice for Angel event held at Mainsforth Terrace.
Hartlepool MP Mike Hill was presented with a scroll with Angel's story on it by Justice for Angel group members Jenna Davies, left, and Lynn Williamson, right, during the Justice for Angel event held at Mainsforth Terrace.
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Officers defended the action, saying the animal, named Angel by protestors, had become extremely aggressive and unapproachable.

Campaigners have set up a series of petitions and fundraising accounts as the call for a probe to be held into what happened in the hope the situation will not be repeated.

One collected more than 201,000 names, calling for the Independent Police Complaints Commission to take action and sent to the Government.

The latest, called Justice for Angel, asks for support to explore the reason behind the decision, make those involved accountable for their actions and “help make sure this never happens again and Angel did not die in vain.”

Jenna Davies, centre, with fellow members of the Justice for Angel group during the event held at Mainsforth Terrace.Jenna Davies, centre, with fellow members of the Justice for Angel group during the event held at Mainsforth Terrace.
Jenna Davies, centre, with fellow members of the Justice for Angel group during the event held at Mainsforth Terrace.

More than 1,500 people have signed it so far.

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Comments left on the petition Care2 site include one which asks: “I would like to know why and if this was the best decision for this poor animal and how the decision was made?”

Another said: “This dog was abandoned, cold, hungry left not even to fend for itself but tied up.

“This poor animal was in a condition that could have been rectified with understanding, compassion and love.”

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill was presented with a scroll with Angel's story on it by Justice for Angel group members Jenna Davies, left, and Lynn Williamson, right, during the Justice for Angel event held at Mainsforth Terrace.Hartlepool MP Mike Hill was presented with a scroll with Angel's story on it by Justice for Angel group members Jenna Davies, left, and Lynn Williamson, right, during the Justice for Angel event held at Mainsforth Terrace.
Hartlepool MP Mike Hill was presented with a scroll with Angel's story on it by Justice for Angel group members Jenna Davies, left, and Lynn Williamson, right, during the Justice for Angel event held at Mainsforth Terrace.

The town’s Labour MP Mike Hill was among those to gather for the vigil on Sunday.

He said: “I am here to show support for Justice for Angel who are campaigning for improvements in the way in which services are coordinated for animal rescues in the future.”