Heartbroken owners make desperate appeal to find stolen pug

Rachael Wootton, 31, was on holiday in Marbella with her husband Alex Wootton, 31, of Hagley, on Wednesday when their pug Herbie was stolen.

The pug was taken from Rachael's parents home in Coven as they were looking after him whilst the pair were abroad.

Burglars broke the heavily padlocked gate to the side of the property before trying to break in through the back of the house at around 2.45pm on Wednesday.

The thieves triggered the house alarm as they smashed through one of the conservatory panes of glass, and then totally removed the back kitchen window to get in.

When Lynne Banks and Peter Banks, returned home from Peter's hospital appointment, they spotted the usually locked gate was open.

Mrs Banks said: "I was pulling onto the drive and I saw the padlocked gate was swinging open and I just got hysterical.

"I went round and saw the conservative and kitchen window smashed. Then we went in and saw Herbie had been taken from his cage. I was so upset."

The loss of Herbie is even more poignant as Mrs Banks mother, June Jones, died recently, on May 18.

Rachael Wootton, who is a VAT advisor, said: "As soon as we found out the news, we got on the first plane home. It is so frightening to think that the burglars were so determined to get him.

"It just makes it so much worse because my nan died only a couple of weeks ago, so it makes the sense of loss even worse. It couldn't have happened at a worst time."

Mrs Wootton immediately launched an online campaign to try and get Herbie back. A cash reward of an undisclosed amount is being offered for his safe return.

"We are absolutely devastated, we just want him back. I can't imagine not getting him back. We don't have any children, so he's like our little baby boy. I haven't slept since it happened. Not knowing where he is or who he's with, it's unbearable.

"I want people to spread the word and help us to try and find him. That's why I launched the campaign."

Herbie is described a a small, fawn-coloured pug with a black face.

Police are examining CCTV and forensics have been carried out.

Anyone with any information is advised to call the police on 101.