Dog owner found dead by police investigating theft of his labradoodle had been lying there for several days, officers say as they charge man, 39, with his murder

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The dog owner who was found dead by police investigating the theft of his labradoodle had been lying there for several days, officers have confirmed. 

Donald 'Prentice' Patience, 45, was discovered at his home on Tuesday morning after burglars smashed into it and snatched his beloved pet, Layla.

Investigators have now charged Ian Gary Connell, of Bolton, with murder and he is expected to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court today.

Two other men, aged 27 and 41, have been bailed pending further enquiries. 

While Mr Patience's cause of death is currently unknown, an investigation is now underway with Greater Manchester Police. 

Greater Manchester Police have now charged a man after Donald 'Prentice' Patience (pictured), 45, was found at a house in Bury earlier this week

Investigators responded to the incident at 10.30am on Tuesday after a man had taken the labradoodle to a dog grooming business just 160ft from Mr Patience's home. The man was arrested and the dog was seized by officers. 

READ MORE: Stolen labradoodle was taken to dog grooming salon just hours after dognappers broke into 45-year-old owner's home and murdered him - as family pay tribute to 'incredible' father

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The labradoodle - puppies of which can sell for between £700 to £1,500 - is now being looked after by a relevant authority, Greater Manchester Police added.

Just yesterday, MailOnline also revealed that the father-of-three had been the victim of a previous break-in months earlier, which saw thieves ransacking his humble end-of-terrace house in Radcliffe, Manchester.

Mr Patience - who was hailed an 'incredible' father by his heartbroken family - had returned home last December to find several televisions, a child's bike and his brother's car had been taken.

The details were revealed in a heartbreaking note by Mr Patience sent to his neighbours in January which read: 'I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year.

'I recently returned to my house to find all my stuff had been stolen. It included several TVs, my child’s pit, bike, gaming chair, hover and my brother's car, a grey Mercedes C220 amongst other things.

'The car was used to remove items. This happened round about the start of November and the house was locked from the inside so I suspect it was a guest.

'I heard a girl and two males were seen removing items but could be misinformed. It would probably look like I was moving out and I was wondering if anyone saw anything?' 

Police confirmed the report, adding that 'unfortunately no suspect was identified after conducting a number of enquiries'.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'Detectives are continuing to investigate the death of Donald Patience which includes reports made to police previously.'

One of the neighbours who received the note was 36-year-old Andy Ramsden.

She also told MailOnline: 'The note came through in January just after New Year.

'I think Prentice [Mr Patience] had been up to Scotland and had come back to find some of his belongings stolen, including his brother's Mercedes.

'As far as I know he was renting the house, he'd been there for about three years, but from time to time he did have housemates staying there with him.

'I think most recently there may have been another man living there.

'In that note he posted through people's doors he as much as blames one of those who'd been staying in the house.

'Prentice was the only one we used to see much of, however. He'd always take the dog for a walk.'

Police were called to reports of burglars trying to steal a labradoodle from the home. These labradoodle puppies were pictured on Donald's Facebook 

Investigators have now charged Ian Gary Connell, of Bolton, with murder  

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. He is pictured with his children and ex-wife, Kirsty

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of GMP's Major Incident Team also believes Mr Patience's death was a 'targeted attack'.

In a statement, she said: '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.'

The revelation came as Mr Patience's heartbroken family today described him as 'a much-loved son, brother and father and will be sorely missed by many, affectionately known as Prentice' - as the local community expressed shock at his 'murder'.

And his ex-wife Kirsty, with whom he shared three children, 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.

'We are all truly heartbroken at this news and we are all struggling to come to terms with his death.'

Anyone with information about the incident or Donald is asked to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team on 0161 856 3635 or 101 quoting incident number 1139 of 22/08/2023 or via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111. 

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