Hooded teenagers use firework to scare four-year-old golden retriever

Around 20 hooded teenagers gave a man and his dog a nasty fright on Hallowe'en when they set off a firework right behind them.

Peter Challis was walking his four-year-old golden retriever Victory along the Thorley Wedge towards Friedberg Avenue when the pair were targeted at around 9.15pm on Thursday evening.

Some of the youths approached Peter and Victory and walked past them. Peter then heard some of them begin to run. When he turned round, he saw three or four members of the group set off the firework before sprinting away.

Peter's wife Vanessa said: "Victory was on the lead but really got frightened as [it was] so loud.

"He wasn't happy last night and needed a lot of affection, but wasn't hurt physically – [it] just made him jump with fright.

"Such a shame a small minority spoil it. I just don't understand why anyone would want to do something that could hurt him and for what they think is fun."

The couple are now worried how Victory will cope over the course of the next week or so as more and more fireworks are lit.

"That's the annoying thing," said Vanessa. "Up until last night he was fine on Firework Night... bit worried how he'll be this year after last night."

Rockets were fired at police, houses and cars as police responded to almost 50 incidents of antisocial behaviour linked to Hallowe'en in Stortford in the three hours between 7pm and 10pm on Thursday evening.

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