Barnsley community helps man whose dog was mauled to death

The club helped find new dog, Loki, for Frank Goldthorpe

A community in Barnsley has come together to help a pensioner get a new dog after his was mauled to death by two others.

Frank Goldthorpe, 73, was walking his Jack Russell Ellie in Thurnscoe when she was attacked on 5 January.

South Yorkshire Police said the dogs responsible had been seized and one had since been destroyed.

Regulars at Mr Goldthorpe's working men's club raised £350 towards the cost of getting him a new canine companion.

"Ellie was the life and soul of me, I loved her to death," he said.

The attack happened on Merrill Road at about 14:30 GMT.

Police said the two dogs that attacked Ellie were believed to by Husky crossbreeds loose on the street.

A spokesperson said: "Officers contained the dogs in a nearby property until they were seized and taken to police kennels."

They said at present no charges had been made, but the owner had signed the dogs over to police.

"One dog has since been destroyed and another is undergoing assessments to be rehomed."

Mr Goldthorpe and Ellie were both frequent visitors to the Ship club and when staff and regulars heard what had happened they decided to raise some money.

"We were devastated, staff were in tears," said steward Aiden Sidwell.

"Everyone who knows Frank was genuinely upset for him. Frank and Ellie were inseparable, they went everywhere together."

Frank Goldthorpe said Ellie had been his "life and soul"

Initially the club planned to use the cash to buy Mr Goldthorpe a puppy, however they found a dog, another Jack Russell named Loki, whose owner was willing to give him away.

It meant they were able to put the funds towards the cost of Loki's upkeep.

"The folks here have been absolutely marvellous with me," Mr Goldthorpe said.

"It was the club steward and stewardess who got the collection up.

"They found a new dog for me on Facebook and took me to Chesterfield to pick it up."

He said the efforts of those at the club had helped "lift his spirits".

"It feels good, I'd just love to thank everybody," he said.

"Loki comes and sleeps with me on the bed, if I move he moves up to me, he's a good dog."