Gang steals family's pets

A conman lured a dog owner out of his Coseley home while his gang of accomplices smashed their way into the garden and stole the family's precious pedigree pets worth a total of £4,000.

One of the crooks knocked on Karen and Connor Smith's house, in Coseley, asking for a lift to a nearby garage, claiming his car had run out of petrol.

Mr Smith agreed to take him after the conman told him his pregnant girlfriend was waiting in the car, but returned to find his three lurchers and one collie greyhound had been stolen.

Garage staff had managed to capture the conman on CCTV and the family are hoping he can be caught.

Mrs Connor, aged 42, said she and her husband had been left devastated by the theft in Central Drive, at 2.15pm last Wednesday.

"A lad knocked on the door and asked if Connor would take him to the garage because his car was out of petrol," she said. She said when Mr Smith returned to the house, he found the gate to the back garden had been smashed, the locks on the pens had been kicked off and the dogs missing.

It was the third time their pets had been targeted by thieves in the last decade. Four dogs were stolen in 1997 and another two were taken in 2003. Witnesses can call police on 0845 1135000.