A FAMILY has been left heartbroken after thieves stole a dog and her six-week-old puppies from their home.

Eight-year-old Jack Russell bitch Poppy and her Jackadoodle puppies were taken from an outbuilding at the home of Donna Quinn in Page Bank, Spennymoor, overnight on Friday, March 15.

The mother-of-five said she is desperate to hear from anyone who may know of their whereabouts.

“I don’t know what has happened,” she said. “They must have come across the field or down the track. I can’t understand how they have got here and not been seen. The neighbours never heard anything.

“Poppy would have barked and they were in a secure building.”

Mrs Quinn said the puppies are worth about £400 but that she was planning on keeping them before they were stolen. A sixth Jackadoodle puppy was recently given to friend.

“The value doesn’t mean anything to me,” said Mrs Quinn. “I have got a lot of people asking around and there has been an appeal put out on Facebook but I heard nothing.

“My children have been really upset. I can’t explain how I feel. I just want them back.”

Poppy is described as white with black and brown markings around the ears, with a white V in the centre of her face and two scars on her nose.

All five puppies, which are three males and two females, have a black dot marking at the base of the tail and are predominantly white with either brown or black ears.

None of the animals are chipped.

Since the incident the family have installed a security alarm and lighting.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Spennymoor neighbourhood police team on 01325-742729 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.

More Spennymoor News