Dogs sprayed with paint in street attacks

A man was walking his dog in Thames Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, at 5pm yesterday (Sunday, March 20) when he was approached by 10 youths.

One of them asked the man what breed of dog it was, before bending down and spraying the dog in the face.

The owner quickly moved his dog out of the way and kept walking. The animal was unharmed.

On the same day, a woman was walking her pet in St Agnells Lane, Hemel Hempstead, at 5.10pm when five boys walked past.

One boy approached the woman and asked her what breed her dog was before spraying the dog with green paint and running off.

Two of the boys stayed and apologised to the woman, before the offender came back and apologised to the victim himself.

The dog was given an eye wash, but police say the animal was rubbing its eye and may have needed vet treatment.

The crime reference for the Thames Avenue incident is D1/16/2059, and D1/16/2060 for the St Agnells Lane incident.

Police inquiries are on-going and anyone with information is asked to contact Hertfordshire Police via the non-emergency number 101.