A FAMILY condemned the yobs who kicked their puppy to death during a drunken rampage.

The Jenkins family in Newport's Hampden Road are devastated after their 11-month-old sheepdog collie puppy Storm was killed.

Storm was found with blood coming from his mouth in their front garden after teenagers ran amok in a neighbouring street.

He died after a drunken gang went through Marshfield Street kicking cars and fences just after 12am on Monday morning.

Terri Jenkins, 40, was still awake and Storm, with the front door still open, was in the garden.

Mrs Jenkins said when she went outside to investigate the "commotion" she discovered Storm lying motionless on the ground "with blood coming from the side of his mouth".

She said: "My kids had to see that." Police said the dog was attacked after it barked at the youths.

Mrs Jenkins children Gareth, 14, and Megan, 11, have been deeply upset. "My daughter has taken it the worst. She was crying her eyes out," she said.

"This has left us feeling absolutely numb. He was such a friendly, playful dog.

"Everybody around here loved him and he never did any harm to anyone. "I think the people who did this are sick and I don't understand how anyone could hurt an animal like that."

Gareth said: "We are devastated. We all loved him very much. He was a shy dog who wouldn't leave the house without one of us taking him."

Sergeant Ian Roberts, from Maindee police, also condemned the attack. He appealed for the community to help police bring those responsible to justice.

He said: "This was a shocking act that will affect not only the Jenkins family but the community as a whole.

"Maindee police are working to forge links with the community and that has already been evident with the response of witnesses coming forward to provide valuable information.

"As a result four persons have been arrested and our enquiries into their involvement will continue. We appeal for anyone with further information to contact us."

Three boys and a girl, aged between 15 and 16, were arrested in connection with the incident. All have been released on police bail until the end of September. Anyone with information is asked to call Maindee police on 01633 244999.