Two teenage boys arrested on suspicion of torching Manchester Dogs’ Home have been released without charge.
The youngsters, aged 15 and 17, were arrested following the devastating blaze earlier this year which left at least 60 canines dead.
Officers were called to the center on Moss Bank Road in Harpurhey around 7.20pm on Thursday 11 September following reports of a fire.
A police spokesperson said: “The 15 and 17-year-old boys who were arrested on suspicion of arson have been released without charge.”
The tragic fire sparked a phenomenal global outpouring of sympathy, with charitable donations nearing £1.5million.
Alongside worldwide contributions, concerned members of the public rallied around to help supply food and blankets to the charity shop in the wake of the blaze.
Speaking in September, Bernie Quinn, who works at the nearby Manchester Dog’s home charity shop, was overwhelmed by the response.
She told MM: “We’ve been so lucky; we’ve been inundated with dog food, toys, blankets – but it’s just sad talking about it.
“We’re so humbled by what’s been going on in the shop, the donators have gone the extra mile; they’ve been absolutely phenomenal.
“But it’s not just local people that have been helping us; donations have been coming in from much further afield too.
“We’re a nation of dog lovers so I imagine more people will keep coming in too.”
A string of celebrities also dug deep to help pledge cash to the home through their Just Giving page.
Pop music mogul and X Factor judge Simon Cowell spoke out about the ‘disgusting’ arson attack and donated a huge sum of £25,000.
He said: “I have got my dogs here and I love my dogs. The fact is they are in a rescue home which is bad enough and then for something like that to happen is disgusting.
“It is unbelievable. Whatever the maximum sentence is I would double it, I really would.
“There is no justification for it, you can’t just kill animals and get away with it.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
