A distraught owner is pleading for the return of his daschund and her pups, which were stolen from their home in Petts Wood just before Christmas.

The Metropolitan Police are now investigating the theft and a Facebook post calling for their safe return has been shared 15,000 times.

Dave Serbarusbull, 55, the stolen pet's owner, said: "As you can imagine we are absolutely devastated that we have had something stolen that is so precious to us all.

"Not only has she been stolen along with her beautiful babies, she has been through an ordeal in terms of having a c-section and she had also been spade, so for her to be away from us and the family must be horrific for her."

The mother and her pups were stolen a week ago on Monday, December 23 between the hours of 7.30pm and 9pm.

He added: "Our two grandchildren are ringing everyday crying asking has she been returned yet. They are even asking us if they can give up all their toys what they got for Christmas and their pocket money so that the bad people will give us our doggies back."

The facebook post was put up the morning after the dog and her pups were taken and offers a reward for their return or any useful information.

He said: "If the person or persons who have done this are reading this, if you return the dogs or leave them at a police station or somewhere."

The dog and her pups was taken just a day before another dachshund was found wandering on railway tracks near Rainham Railway Station, which was not the one stolen from Petts Wood.

If you have any information about the missing mum and her pups, call 101 quoting reference CH527344.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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