A dog was stabbed to death by men attempting to burgle a family home.

Police were called to the scene in Epping Road, Ongar, at around 2.45pm on Friday (August 28) following reports of two men trying to force their way inside the property.

Two women aged 20 and a 19-year-old man were inside the house when two men rang the doorbell and claimed they had been sent to the address.

When the 19-year-old refused to let the pair inside, they began to kick the front door.

The victim's dog, a Staffordshire bull terrier, got out through the door and was stabbed by the suspects.

The two men then fled towards a communal car park nearby.

The family dog later died as a result of its injuries.

Police have released an efit of one of the men they wish to identify.

The first suspect was aged about 30, of stocky build, about 5ft 11ins tall and wearing a navy long sleeved shirt.

The second man was white, aged 28 to 32 and slim.

He was between 5ft 5ins tall and 5ft 6ins tall, had scruffy black hair and wore a black hooded top.

Pc Rob Guiney, of Loughton CID, said: "This was a brutal and terrifying incident.

"I am appealing for anyone with information to come forward so we can bring these thugs to justice.”

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call Pc Guiney on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.