Rescue dog dies of a heart attack trying to escape from fireworks

A dog suffered a heart attack and died after being terrified by a fusillade of fireworks during last weekend’s bonfire night celebrations.

Winston the Moscow watchdog, tried to find shelter underneath decking at the Dogs for Rescue centre in Barton Moss, Greater Manchester. 

The eight-year-old dog was already dead by the time staff found the animal earlier this morning. 

Winston the Moscow watchdog had been living at the Dog 4 Rescue centre in Greater Manchester after he was taken from his abusive home in Bulgaria

Staff allowed the dogs at the rescue centre out for a run when the fireworks went silence in the early hours of Monday morning - however, moments later the explosions restarted 

Staff allowed the dogs at the rescue centre out for a run when the fireworks went silence in the early hours of Monday morning – however, moments later the explosions restarted 

Winston the Moscow watchdog died of a heart attack after being scared by fireworks 

Winston the Moscow watchdog died of a heart attack after being scared by fireworks 

Staff suspect the dog – who was rescued from Bulgaria and was terrified of loud noises – had died of a heart attack.

After being rescued from its abusive owners, Winston was diagnosed with a heart condition and was on medication. 

Staff at the rescue centre let out the dogs shortly after midnight on Monday after the fireworks had appeared to stop. 

However, a few minutes later, another barrage of fireworks exploded near the rescue centre, distressing several of the dogs. 

Several dogs managed to run back into the rescue centre, however, Winston, who weighed 80 kilos, tried to shelter in an area too small to contain his frame and died.  

Owner Emma Billington said: ‘He absolutely hated loud bangs. We are out in the sticks a little bit. I don’t know where these were coming from.

‘They were outside and the bangs started going off, all of the dogs that were scared started running back in. We noticed he was missing.

‘He had a heart attack and fell asleep under the decking.’

Owner Emma Billington said Winston, pictured, was afraid of loud bangs 

Owner Emma Billington said Winston, pictured, was afraid of loud bangs 

Winston, who was 80kg, got trapped underneath some decking and died on Monday morning 

Winston, who was 80kg, got trapped underneath some decking and died on Monday morning 

Frantic staff searched for Winston after the other dogs made it safely back inside, but unfortunately by the time they managed to track him down, he was dead

Frantic staff searched for Winston after the other dogs made it safely back inside, but unfortunately by the time they managed to track him down, he was dead

Ms Billington, 40, added: ‘We have to tell people how bad this is for the dogs. There is no need, in this day and age.

‘This has just killed him. All his life he has suffered at the hands of people.

‘He was the most loyal dog.’

Dogs 4 Rescue houses its animals in a kennel-free environment without the need for cages.

Animals go to the centre from over the world, including dogs at risk of being put down in the UK, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria. 

Staff at the rescue centre said Winston was 'the most loyal dog' and his death is a tragedy 

Staff at the rescue centre said Winston was ‘the most loyal dog’ and his death is a tragedy 

Animals such as Winston, pictured, come to the rescue centre from across the UK, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria 

Animals such as Winston, pictured, come to the rescue centre from across the UK, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria 

The 80kg dog, pictured, was rescued from Bulgaria to Greater Manchester and placed in the Dogs 4 Rescue centre which houses its animals without the use of cages 

The 80kg dog, pictured, was rescued from Bulgaria to Greater Manchester and placed in the Dogs 4 Rescue centre which houses its animals without the use of cages 

Winston, pictured, was diagnosed recently with a heart condition and required medication leading staff to believe that this could have been a contributory factor in his death

Winston, pictured, was diagnosed recently with a heart condition and required medication leading staff to believe that this could have been a contributory factor in his death

Winston, pictured, was on medication for his heart at the time of his tragic death 

Winston, pictured, was on medication for his heart at the time of his tragic death 

Staff at the rescue centre believe that people should not use fireworks near animal shelters 

Staff at the rescue centre believe that people should not use fireworks near animal shelters 

Ms Billington, 40, added: 'We have to tell people how bad this is for the dogs. There is no need, in this day and age. 'This has just killed him. All his life he has suffered at the hands of people'

Ms Billington, 40, added: ‘We have to tell people how bad this is for the dogs. There is no need, in this day and age. ‘This has just killed him. All his life he has suffered at the hands of people’

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