Family devastated as seven Lurcher puppies stolen from home just days | Great Britain

A family is “devastated” after seven Lurcher puppies were stolen from their Dorset home just days after Christmas.

The dogs are still missing but a 28-year-old man from East Dorset and a 22-year-old woman from Wimborne have been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The family from Shroton, Dorset, just five weeks old, are deeply concerned for the welfare of their pets as they are still being fed by their mother.

Constable Sebastian Haggett, from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “These puppies are only five weeks old and are still reliant on their mother for nutrition and survival, so we are keen to reunite them.”

“The family involved in this reported theft is devastated and we want to do everything we can to bring these pets home.”

Constable Haggett is appealing for information, particularly about the activity of a white Audi A1 that was seen nearby.

Access to the building in the Shroton area was reportedly gained between 10:50 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2024.

Police are urging residents to come forward if they have doorbell or CCTV footage from the time, or if motorists with dashcam footage drove through.

Dorset Police have shared a picture of the puppies to encourage anyone who has seen them for sale in unusual circumstances to come forward.

Police are also asking anyone with information or who recognizes the puppies in the photo to contact them.

A new offense of “pet kidnapping” came into force in England and Northern Ireland in August after the law was passed on the last day of Parliament.

Taking or holding a dog or cat is a criminal offense and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Theft of a pet was previously covered by the Theft Act 1968, but the new law aims to recognize the emotional impact caused by the theft of a pet.