Armed house raiders stab father and kill pet dog

The gang of up to five men forced their way into the house in Everton, Liverpool, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The 40-year-old householder was knifed in the left hand and arm as he tried to defend his wife and two daughters, aged 18 and 22.

The thugs, whose faces were covered, turned the knife on the family's bichon frise dog before fleeing with cash and jewellery.

Merseyside Police scrambled their helicopter to search for the offenders, who fled from the house in Halkyn Drive towards Breck Road.

Police dogs joined in the hunt but the suspects escaped.