Dog burned alive in the back of a van during arson attack in Drogheda as gardai launch investigation

A dog was burned alive in the back of a van after an arson attack in Drogheda.

Shocked locals could hear the terrier screaming in terror before he died and couldn't rescue him because of the intensity of the blaze.

Now Gardai have launched a full-scale investigation into the horror attack in the Sandyford Tce area of town, over a week ago.

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Officers believe the incident had nothing to do with the drugs feud in the north-east but was a personal attack.

It is believed the shocked van owner had left his pet dog in the back of the van when he went to see someone in the neighbourhood. The vehicle was later set alight and exploded.

One householder said: "It was just a horrific attack. We could hear the poor dog screaming for its life but there was nothing we could do to help.

"This is a very quiet neighbourhood and nothing like this has ever happened here before.

"The owner of the van doesn't live around here and was meeting someone. We all can't stop thinking of the little dog being burned alive. It is horrible.

"The owner is obviously very upset because he lost his dog and his van."

A Garda spokesman said: "Gardai attended the scene of a vehicle fire at Sandyford Tce. Investigations are ongoing."

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