Dog belonging to granddad ‘kicked to dying’ taken again to the scene

The dog that was with a grandfather who was kicked to death has been taken back to the scene of his killing by the beloved man’s grieving wife.  

Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, was ‘seriously’ assaulted while walking his dog in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester at around 6.30pm on Sunday and later died in hospital. 

Mr Kohli’s wife, 73-year-old Satinder, was yesterday seen laying flowers at a memorial near where he died along with friends, family and Rocky, the dog he was walking when he was attacked.

The dog, a 15-year-old black-and-tan crossbreed, was seen as the grieving widow placed a bouquet of flowers down. 

After Leicestershire Police, the force investigating the tragic death, yesterday said that five children, a boy and a girl aged 14 and two girls and one boy aged 12, were being questioned, they later said that all but the 14-year-old boy have been released without charge. He has since been charged with murder. 

The force confirmed yesterday, following a post-mortem, that Mr Kohli died ‘of a neck injury’, though added that further tests were pending. 

Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, (pictured with his wife Satinder) was ‘seriously’ assaulted by a ‘group of youths’ while walking his dog in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester at around 6.30pm on Sunday

Mr Kohli’s wife, 73-year-old Satinder, was seen laying flowers at a memorial near where he died

She was seen with Rocky, the dog Mr Kohli was walking when he died (pictured)

His family yesterday said in a statement via Leicestershire Police:  ‘Bhim was a loving husband, dad and grandad. He was also a son, brother and uncle. He adored his grandkids with all his heart and loved spending time with them. 

‘He really was such a loving, caring person whose life was centred around his family.

 He has always been a very hardworking man and even at the age of 80 he was still very active. One of his great passions was his allotment, he would go every day to tend to his plots and was so proud of them. He also enjoyed walking the family dog Rocky on the park many times a day.

‘Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile. Our family have lived in the same house in Braunstone for 40 years, so he was very well known in the community – we have been overwhelmed by the messages and support from many who knew him.

‘Our hearts have been completely broken. We are now pulling together as a family to try and support each other through the most difficult time imaginable and would ask for privacy while we do this.’ 

Undated family handout photo issued by Leicestershire Police of Bhim Kohli

Flowers and tributes to Bhim Kohli are left near the Bramble Way entrance to Franklin Park on September 04, 2024 in Leicester, England

Neighbours and others living in the area said they had called the police in the last two or three months over gangs of youths abusing Asian residents

The alleged attack happened on Sunday night leaving Mr Kohli with severe injuries, before he sadly died last night

Mr Kohli was walking his dog, Rocky (pictured), in the park when the alleged attack happened

Forensic investigators were seen at the crime scene in Braunstone Town on Tuesday

Police officers were pictured entering and leaving the area of the park in which the alleged attack occurred

David Donahue, 75, a retired aircraft engineer from Pittsburgh in the US, who is visiting his sister-in-law, said: ‘We saw a group of youngsters kicking a can down the street earlier in the day. Well, we heard the noise then saw them. 

‘My sister-in-law regularly walks in the park but has said she won’t now – she doesn’t feel safe.’

Another one of Mr Kohil’s neighbours, Harjinder Kalia, 53, said: ‘I’ve lived here for 35 years, he was a nice person, he was always joking, to everyone not just with us, everybody.

She added: ‘There is no reason why anyone would do this. Sometimes children would fight with each other in the park.’

Leicestershire Police has reported itself to the police watchdog due to previous contact with the victim.