CRUEL thieves left 18 baby ferrets to die after stealing their mothers from an allotment.
The night-time raiders struck at a cabin in the Burn Valley area of Hartlepool, leaving the defenceless animals in cages without their mothers.
Ten of the babies died overnight from the cold.
Owner Kenny Calvert, who is hand-feeding the surviving babies, believes they will also die if they are not reunited with their mothers.
Hartlepool police are investigating the theft, which happened between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
One of the bitch ferrets was white in colour, one was coffee-coloured and the third was a polecat.
Anyone with information can call police on (01642) 302126.
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