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Heartbroken family members have paid tribute to an 'incredible' father who was killed when suspected dognappers tried to steal his beloved pet labradoodle.
Officers were scrambled to an address in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, at 10.30am on Tuesday to reports raiders were trying to snatch the white dog.
Upon searching the end-of-terrace property, police found the body of 45-year-old Donald 'Prentice' Patience. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The labradoodle - puppies of which can sell for between £700 to £1,500 - was later rescued by police at a nearby dog parlour, say locals. It is now being looked after by the relevant authority, Greater Manchester Police said.
Mr Patience's heartbroken loved ones have today described him as 'a much-loved son, brother and father and will be sorely missed by many, affectionately known as Prentice'.
And his ex-wife Kirsty, with whom he shared three children with, also paid tribute, hailing him an 'incredible man' who 'adored his children'.
'This breaks my heart to have to write this,' she wrote on social media. '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.
Donald 'Prentice' Patience, 45, was found dead after police were called to a home in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester amid reports burglars were trying to steal his pet dog
Police were called to reports of burglars trying to steal a labradoodle from the home. These labradoodle puppies were pictured on Donald's Facebook
The beloved father's death has left his family heartbroken. Mr Patience is pictured with three youngsters in one of the last pictures he shared before his death
Officers were this morning standing guard outside the end-of-terrace home where Mr Patience's body was found
One of the pictures released today appeared to show a smashed window at the father's home
'We are all truly heart broken at this news and we are all struggling to come to terms with his death.'
A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded his Mr Patience's death was suspicious. Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Did you know the victim and his beloved dogs?
To pay tribute to him, please email [email protected]
After being questioned two men, aged 27 and 41, have been released bailed pending further enquires, while a 39-year-old man remains in police custody.
One heartbroken relative said their family had been left devastated by the death. Appealing to the public for help, they wrote on social media: 'Please, if you know or have seen anything... please, please contact the police.
'Heartbreaking news for my family this week, you didn't deserve to have your life taken in this way. Fly high Prent xx'
The end-terrace remains cordoned off this morning with police standing guard. A back kitchen window has been shattered
Blue and white tape has marked off the property, with one police car at the scene.
Locals claim officers managed to retrieve the labradoodle - believed to be called Layla - after she was taken to a grooming parlour just 160ft from the crime scene yesterday morning.
Police swooped and arrested a man before seizing the dog, according to Mick Hewitson, 58, who runs The Dog Shop.
He told MailOnline: 'I'd not long opened up the shop and a young man called in and said "I only live over the road, my boss wants his dog's hair cut, can you do it?"
Upon searching the home, police found the body of 45-year-old Donald 'Prentice' Patience. He was pronounced dead at the scene
Family members have previously shared pictures of a white labradoodle, thought to be this one which burglars were reportedly trying to steal, on Facebook
In a post on social media, Mr Patience's ex-wife described him as an 'amazing father' who 'adored his children'
'The man was fairly young, at a guess I'd say in his late 20s, and the dog was an off-white ladbradoodle.
'I have a sore shoulder so I'm limiting the amount of work I've got on at the moment- particularly walk-ins - so I declined. The man and dog walked off.
'This must have been just after 9am yesterday. Half an hour later and the police had all rushed around and someone was arrested. Who that was, I couldn't see.
'But the police had hold of the same labradoodle that had come to the shop just 30-minutes previously. It must have been the man who's bought the dog to my shop. Has to have been.
'I've never seen the dog before that, or the bloke who was killed even though the house where it happened is just across the road.'
Emilya Habtagebriel, 25, believes she may have come face-to-face with one of the killers.
The mother of two said: 'I'd come out the back of my house some time between 10.30am and 11am on Tuesday and there was a young man coming out of the house behind mine.
'I remember he had a white dog on the lead. He smiled and said hello and I waved back.
'My daughter absolutely loves dogs and I went back in to get her and show her the dog but the man had vanished.
'I didn't see where he went but he was quick to get away.
Police were pictured on Friday morning guarding the scene of the suspected murder
'It wasn't the man who was found dead. It was a younger man, I'd say late-20s.
'Not long after that the street was filled with police and we later found out that the man who lived in the house had been murdered.
'It's a shock. I don't know who the man I saw was but he appeared calm. I didn't hear any shouting or screaming or smashing, nothing like that at all.
'But the dog he had with him on a lead was a labradoodle.'
Another neighbour said Mr Patience was originally from Scotland and along with his children, his dog was 'his life'.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said: 'Donald had been here a while and said hello to most people but to be honest we didn't know much about him.
'He was Scottish and lived in the house alone, except for his labradoodle Layla, who he would walk around the block at least twice a day.
'He had children but they didn't live with him. I think along with his kids, that dog was his life. He really doted on Layla.
'We were out when it happened. It's supposed to have been a burglary and the dog was snatched. He would have put up a fight to stop someone stealing her that's for sure.'.
News of the killing sent shockwaves through the local community, with floral tributes today being left outside the end-of-terrace.
Investigators are now urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in earlier this week in or around the area.
Floral tributes have since been left outside the home where the father was found dead
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of GMP's Major Incident Team said: 'First, as a force, we would like to pass on our condolences to Donald's loved ones at this extremely distressing time, we are doing all we can to get the answers they deserve and find out what has happened.
'Since we were made aware of this incident earlier this week our investigation has been swift and precise, with three arrested because of our enquiries with one at the scene at the time of the suspected burglary.
'I would like to reassure the local public, as I understand there will be alarm when finding out about this, but we are confident it is a targeted attack.
'We now want to appeal to the local community for any eyewitness accounts or footage of any activity that we may be able to link to this investigation.
'We are also looking for people who may know Donald, have seen him walking his beloved white labradoodle in the local area or have any knowledge of any activity at or near his address, which is an end terrace on Ainsworth Road, since Friday 18 August 2023.
'It is crucial we have as much detail as possible to help piece together what has happened in this tragic incident where someone has sadly lost their life.
'We are keeping all available lines of enquiry open but no matter how small, your piece of information may be that crucial bit of evidence we need that can help us with this investigation.'
Mr Patience (pictured) was described as an 'amazing father who adored his children'. He was also a Manchester City fan
Mr Patience was hailed as a loving and devoted father by his family, with pictures on social media showing him surrounded by his children.
His eldest son was hailed a 'miracle' child by Mr Paitence's ex-wife. The youngster underwent three open heart operations before the age of five - with his first taking place at just 13 days old.
It comes after he was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital defect which means the left ventricle does not properly.
Speaking to the Bury Times in 2014, mother Kirsty said: 'As soon as he got back into intensive care after his first operation he started losing so much blood that his heart stopped beating.
'He was technically dead and the doctors had to start pumping his heart again with their fingertips. He is a bit of a miracle really.'
News of Mr Patience's murder has left locals stunned, with people expressing their horror online.
One woman said: 'Poor man. Too much of these unspeakable crimes going on at the moment.'
Another added: 'Shocking! God bless you young man RIP'
While a third person said: 'I'm so so sorry to his family, may he rest in peace, God bless you xx'
'That poor man and his family. What an awful society we've become,' said a fourth.
Those with details can call police on 0161 856 3635 or 101 quoting incident number 1139 of 22/08/2023 or via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111.
DID YOU KNOW MR PATIENCE? EMAIL [email protected]
