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<\/p>\nA dog owner found dead in his home after police responded to a burglary had been "deliberately targeted", the force has said. <\/p>\n
Donald "Prentice" Patience was found dead in his home on Tuesday (August 23), by police called out to a burglary, which saw the theft of his beloved labradoodle, Layla.<\/p>\n
A 39-year-old man, Ian Gary Connell, has been charged with murder and was due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court yesterday (Saturday, August 27). <\/p>\n
Two other men, aged 27 and 41, were released on bail pending further enquiries.<\/p>\n
Police think Mr Patience may have been purposefully targeted and had been the victim of a break-in some months before his death, with three thieves heading into his home.<\/p>\n
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Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team said: "I would like to reassure the local public, as I understand there will be alarm when finding out about this, but we are confident it is a targeted attack."<\/p>\n
Donald, 45, had been burgled over the Christmas holidays late last year and left a heart-breaking note for his neighbours asking if they had any information.<\/p>\n
His letter read: "I recently returned to my house to find all my stuff had been stolen. It includes several TVs, my child's pitbike, gaming chair, hover and my brother's car, a grey Mercedes C220 amongst other things.<\/p>\n
"I heard a girl and two males were seen removing items but could be misinformed."<\/p>\n
The 45-year-old, who was described as "incredible" by his family, also wished his neighbours "all the best for 2023" as he searched for his stolen items, the Daily Mail reported.<\/p>\n
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Police confirmed an official report had been made regarding the stolen goods but "no suspect was identified after conducting a number of enquiries."<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the force said: "Detectives are continuing to investigate the death of Donald Patience which includes reports made to police previously."<\/p>\n
One of Donald's neighbours, Andy Ramsden, has since said the note came through the door following the father-of-three's return from a Christmas holiday in Scotland. <\/p>\n
Mr Ramsden said: "As far as I know he was renting the house, he'd been there for about three years, but from time to time he did have housemates staying there with him."<\/p>\n
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