Neighbors in a small town in England have come together to offer £500 reward to help catch thieves who broke into an elderly woman's home and blinded her beloved dog.

The 86-year-old widow was attending church in Stoke Prior in West Midlands, UK, when burglars broke into her home. Kiri, her 8-year-old Border Collie, was kicked in the head while defending her house by the burglars. Kiri's injuries lead to her losing an eye.

The elderly woman is too frightened to reveal her name in fear that the thieves will return to her home. She was deeply shocked and upset about what happened to Kiri. Since the attack, Kirii has been spooked now follows her elderly owner around the house.

"She is my daily companion and all I am concerned about at the moment. I can’t believe anyone could be so heartless and cruel to an animal. It has made me very nervous about going out and leaving her alone," she told the Bromsgrove Standard. "It's terrible and I just hope someone can come forward with information to help the police catch the burglar," she said.

The woman's neighbors were also gravely concerned and upset by what happened to their friend and her dog. Mark Jones her close friend said that she has been "a pillar of the community for years". Kiri has been the woman's constant companion since her husband died. Disgusted at the criminals' actions, he is leading a community effort to help find the person(s) responsible. The community has pooled together a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The elderly woman's home in Hanbury Road was broken into between 5:15 pm and 7:15 pm on Sunday September 2, 2012. A grey purse with cash was stolen.

Bromsgrove CID are requesting people come forward if they remember anything that could help in the investigation or to give them names if they think they know who was responsible. Anyone with any information should call Detective Sergeant Slough on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• border collie
• criminal
• burglar
• Stoke Prior
• United Kingdom