Family left heartbroken after puppies and their mother snatched from shed

Rachael Smith and her family have been left distraught after the beloved pet dogs were taken from the garden shed of their house in Usmere Road.

The family's six-year-old chihuahua, Minx, and her seven puppies, which are nine-weeks-old, were stolen from the shed while she was inside her house on the afternoon of July 28, sometime between 12.40pm and 3.10pm.

Mrs Smith, aged 29, spoke of her distress at finding the family pets gone.

She said: "It seems like someone got in over the fence and unlocked the shed to take the puppies as well as taking their mum too.

"It is awful. They are much loved family pets and we just want them returned."

Minx is almost black with grey markings. There are three female and four male puppies.

Mrs Smith said she and her three children have been left extremely upset by the theft.

She added: "My kids are confused and upset, they don't understand who would do this.

"Minx was a birthday present for my little boy when he was three years old, so it's like a part of the family is missing."

K9 Search UK has also been helping to track down the missing dogs.

Founder of K9, Jennie Dhanjal, said a photograph of the mother and puppies had been circulated on social media and viewed more than 340,000 times on Facebook.

She commented: "At times like this I would like to remind people of their security arrangements with their pets and to get them microchipped as soon as they are old enough.

"The amount of views we have had on Facebook is amazing - we just hope that at least some of the dogs can be found and returned."

Anyone with information should call West Mercia Police on 101.

Information can also be given in confidence to K9 Search UK on 07988 433187 or email lostdogs@k9searchuk.com.