A horrified pet owner received a disturbing note from a “coward” threatening her dog because he won’t stop barking
Claire Hetherington discovered the letter from an anonymous person on Wednesday (23 Apr).
The note appeared to be written on a typewriter and had been delivered by the postman.
READ MORE: Brit WWI hero finally identified 107 years after being killed on Western Front
The chilling letter claimed that Fox-red labrador Reuben can be heard barking, and the writer threatened to take matters into their own hands if Claire didn’t make him stop.
The 57-year-old says she’s scared to leave Reuben alone and when she goes out, she’s constantly looking over her shoulder.
“When I saw the note, I felt sick to my stomach. Claire, from Holmfirth, south of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, told Need To Know.
“I couldn’t believe it. It’s so intimidating.
“I’m scared to go out. I’m looking over my shoulder, wondering if I’m being followed.
“Whoever is threatening a dog is a coward.
“Reuben barks if someone he doesn’t know passes by, but he doesn’t bark to come into the house because I don’t lock him in the garden.
“I work from home, so I’m with him all day, seven days a week.
“He’s such a lovely, timid dog.
“Dogs bark.”
Claire has forked out £200 to keep the two-year-old mutt safe.
The saleswoman said, “I walk him twice a day on my own, and I don’t feel safe anymore.
“I want to go to the gym and know that Reuben will be ok.
“I’m not taking threats, and I’m not being intimidated in my own home.
“It’s my home, my garden and my dog.”
The letter reads: “I visit your property about the dog barking all day, which I hear from across the village.
“You were out, which is why it is allowed to do this.
“I give you the benefit of the doubt that you don’t know this is happening.
“But it is, and I will not live with it any more.
“You take this warning and keep the dog inside when you are not there, and it will be ok.
“You ignore this, and you will come home to find your dog will not bark again.
“Two minutes of barking when it tells you it wants to come into the house is ok.
“Five minutes of barking is not ok.
“You have ignored this, so expect the worst.
“I advise you against a social media witch hunt.
“This is for this year, next year and the year after. No more warnings given. Don’t forget.”
Claire doesn’t know who wrote the letter but has reported it to West Yorkshire Police.
She added, “I didn’t even know what a social media witch hunt was. I’m 57 years old.
“I don’t know who it is, but I’ve talked to my neighbours and they said they can’t hear him barking.
“We live in an affluent area, and everyone keeps to themselves.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “West Yorkshire Police were contacted on 23 April by a victim in Holmfirth reporting she had received threatening messages.
“An offence of harassment has been recorded, and initial enquiries are ongoing by Kirklees District Police.”
READ MORE: Scores of wild animals drown in giant fishing net dumped in marine park
