Workers locked in as gang steals puppies

Ashampstead owners distraught after bitch and litter taken - but lucky one got left behind

A GANG is wanted by police after reports of a number of animal thefts, including a litter of five week old puppies.

The distraught owner of the stolen Patterdale terrier/jack russell cross puppies and eight-year-old Patterdale terrier bitch, named Pippa, said the that dogs were part of the family.

Annie Wye, of Chapel Lane, Ashampstead, had taken her youngest daughter, Elsie, to Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury, for her first birthday when the theft took place, at about 12.50pm on August 21.

Mrs Wye, whose husband is a gamekeeper, said: “We had a call from the head keeper just as the dogs had been stolen.

“The car was seen speeding off down Chapel Lane into Ashampstead.

“We've never been complacent; we know a lot of dog theft goes on so we always lock the kennels.

“We also have a secure garden, parking area and alarm mines on the gates.

“Staff heard a lot of barking and growling and then heard the kennel being smashed and the mine alarm.

“The thieves had locked the gate to the back of our house so staff couldn't have taken chase because they were locked in.

“They came down the back route which is a bridal way, so it must have been planned.”

It wasn't until later that day that the 26-year-old discovered one of the puppies, also named Pippa, dumped on an unlit bonfire in the garden.

She said: “We don't know whether they dropped her or whether they threw her on the bonfire after noticing her tail was docked, meaning she is microchipped.

“We had planned to light the bonfire later that evening so it was lucky we didn't.

“I imagine the puppies have been sold but Pippa doesn't have any worth to anyone other than the family because she's old.

“She's been with the family since six-weeks-old and is part of the family.

“Our three-year-old is very upset.”

The gang of four, all believed to be men, were seen driving away in a dark green Subaru, which was found burnt-out near a yard in Black Boy Lane, Maidenhead, after an attempted theft on August 22.

Police are also linking the offenders to the theft of four ferrets and carrying boxes from a shed at a property in Ermin Street, near Hungerford, between 7.30am and 12.15pm on August 21.

The car was also seen at the theft of £50 worth of fuel from a garage in High Wycombe, at about 6.45pm on August 22, and the theft of a cocker spaniel from a kennel in Coombe Terrace, Henley on Thames, between 7pm and 9pm on the same day.

One of the passengers is described as white, late 20s with dark hair, of a medium height and build and wearing a camouflage fleece and rolled-up jeans.

The driver was described as similar looking.

Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the animals should telephone the police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.