A FAMILY has been left distraught after their beloved pet dogs were stolen from their garden. Sister Lutchers, Poppy and Penny disappeared from the family home in Mill Road, Buckden more than a week ago. Fifteen-year-old Elishia Emery has scoured the vi

A FAMILY has been left distraught after their beloved pet dogs were stolen from their garden.

Sister Lutchers, Poppy and Penny disappeared from the family home in Mill Road, Buckden more than a week ago.

Fifteen-year-old Elishia Emery has scoured the village and neighbouring towns looking for them but to no avail.

Mum Teresa, 42, fears the dogs were stolen for breeding or hare coursing.

She said: "Elishia is an animal lover and she has been left devastated by this. It has broken her heart.

"She hasn't been sleeping and she's been crying since they disappeared. She just wants her dogs back."

Both dogs are six-years-old and have been with the family since they were puppies. Poppy is black and white and Penny is white with brown ears. They are believed to have been taken from the back garden between 7am and 4.25pm last Monday (September 22).

It is believed that thieves jumped an electric gate to gain entry to the back garden and then broke in to the kennel and made off with the dogs.

Mrs Emery, a dispenser at Buckden Surgery, said: "It gets very personal when they take your family pets."

This is the second time the family has been targeted by thieves. Earlier in the year burglars ram raided their garage stealing horse tackle and accessories.

Mrs Emery said that at the time the buglers also tried to force the lock on the dog kennel. She is convinced the same people are responsible for both break-ins.

She said: "I'm absolutely convinced that the people from the first burglary came back for the dogs. I'm not going to give up as I feel that they are not too far away.

You take it for granted that you can walk your dogs and they will greet you in the morning, but when there not around anymore it's really upsetting."

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire police confirmed that the dogs had been reported stolen. The spokesman said: "We have been investigating the incident and given extra security advice to the homeowners. We would urge anyone who has seen these dogs to contact police."

INFORMATION: Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 4564564 or Wood Green Animal Shelter on 08701 903 237