DONALD KILLED TRYING TO SAVE LABRADOODLE

Police find dad, 45, dead after report of dog being stolen

- SARAH VESTY

A MURDER probe has been launched after a "much loved" dad was found dead after his pet labradoodle was allegedly stolen from his home.

The body of Donald "Prentice" Patience was discovered by officers at a house in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.

The 45-year-old, who is originally from Alness in Easter Ross, has been described as "a much-loved son, brother and father who will be sorely missed by many" by his heartbroken family.

Police say they were responding to reports of the white dog being taken from the home on Tuesday.

The dog, believed to be called Layla, has since been recovered by investigators after reportedly being taken to a dog groomer just yards away from the crime scene. His ex-wife Kirsty has paid tribute to the father of their children, who was affectionately known as Prentice, on social media.

She wrote: "This breaks my heart to have to write this. As a lot of you may have already seen, this week we lost an extremely incredible man.

"Despite whatever happened between us, Prentice was an amazing father and adored his children.