A FAMILY is distraught after one of their pets died of internal injuries a day after it was stolen.

A pair of ferrets belonging to 13-year-old David Neal were stolen from the back yard of the family home in Trimdon Grange, County Durham on Wednesday night.

David discovered the ten-month-old ferrets, called Bridget and Fidget, were missing when he went to check on them the following morning.

After a search, they were found, having been dumped in an old boiler.

David's mother, Lillian, said: "The female was very scared, but very protective towards the male, who seemed to be in a really poor condition. He was curled up in a ball and just wanted to be cuddled."

The male, Fidget, was taken to the vet and was diagnosed as having internal bruising. His condition deteriorated and he died yesterday.

Mrs Neal said: "David is gutted and so is his sister, we have all been in floods of tears. We have buried it and everybody is really upset."

Mrs Neal said a neighbour's rabbit was savaged by dogs the same night. Another rabbit had been found stamped to death.

Police said two youths, aged 17 and 18, had been arrested on suspicion of theft and released on police bail pending inquiries.