Thieves steal animal charity cash from Willenhall Carnival

Volunteers for Manic Mutts Animal Rescue ran a car boot stall at the event and raised about £100 from selling bric-a-brac and goods for pets.

But their delight turned to anger after a gang of yobs pounced to steal the cash box containing the money as the team were packing up at about 5pm Saturday after the show in Willenhall Memorial Park, Pinson Road.

The proceeds from the stall was due to be donated to the Animal Samaritans charity towards the cost of purchasing heaters to keep its puppies warm in winter.

Manic Mutts group secretary Barbara Lewthwaite said: "As we were loading the cars we saw these three lads hovering nearby. They kept looking in our direction and we were keeping an eye on them, but we didn't think they would go for the cash.

"Then one of them reached into one of the cars trying to grab one of our handbags and a second lad was at the door on the other side and he grabbed the cash box off the seat. We shouted and our husbands gave chase, along with a man from one of the attractions, the two girls from the doughnut van and two of the park rangers. But they couldn't catch them.

"The youths dropped about £2 in loose change as they ran away. They were aged about 18.

"It's just such a shame after all the effort we put in to raise the money. In all the years that we ran the dog show nothing like this ever happened to us.

"I hope whoever is responsible is caught and punished. We are absolutely gutted. We're now appealing to the public for help to replace this money as it was for Animal Samaritans and they do really good work."

Manic Mutts previously held a popular dog show in the grounds of St Giles Church, in Walsall Street, Willenhall, and performed pet displays at carnivals and village shows across the region until 2012 due to a fall in the number of competitors. But the committee has continued to raise funds for animal charities.

Donations should be made via 01922 865992.

West Midlands Police said the three male suspects fled the scene on foot in the direction of Belinda Close.

The force said inquiries were ongoing and witnesses with information should phone 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.