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A heartbroken dog owner returned home to find burglars had stabbed her XL bully to death.

Marie Stephens, 30, said she discovered "gentle giant" Lola dead on her lounge floor with a knife in her.

She had owned the three-year-old dog for almost a year after rescuing her.

Two men have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of aggravated burglary following the animal's death in Rhymney, Caerphilly county.

Bully XLs are facing a UK-wide ban by the end of 2023 following a spate of dog attacks, one of which led to the death of Jack Lis, 10, in November 2021.

Ms Stephens said she had left Lola in her flat while she popped out.

On returning, she noticed an attic window which she never used was open.

She found Lola inside covered in blood.

"It was like a massacre," Ms Stephens said.

Gwent Police said they were called to a report of a burglary in Wellington Way, Rhymney, at about 14:00 BST on 10 September.

“A dog was sadly found dead inside a property," the force said.

It said two men, aged 21 and 30, both from Caerphilly, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. They have since been bailed.