Therapy dog stolen from an autistic schoolgirl near Lutterworth has been found dead

An autistic schoolgirl’s life has been torn apart after her stolen therapy dog was found dead.

Devastated Chloe Hopkins, 12, has been hoping and praying her beloved Dalmatian Lottie would come back to her.

But the youngster, of Peatling Parva, near Lutterworth, has been left heartbroken after her rare three-year-old liver spot Dalmatian died.

Chloe’s mum, Gemma Hopkins, 35, was stunned to be told on Sunday March 8 that a dog believed to be Lottie had been discovered dead.

The devastating news comes over three months after the adorable dog was callously taken one night from their village home.

Gemma said that identifying the pet she gave her daughter as a puppy was the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

The distraught mum-of-six announced the tragic outcome on Facebook after an army of animal-lovers nationwide had shared and supported her mission to get Lottie back alive and well.

“This is something I'd never thought I'd have to post.

“In fact, I'm not sure it has sunk in.

"Yesterday morning we got the call we didn’t want,” wrote Gemma on Monday March 9.

“Lottie has been found, but passed away.

“Having to identify her was the hardest thing I've done by miles and I cannot thank everyone enough for the shares of posters via social media.

“I've now got to break my 12-year-old’s heart tonight.

“We are all heartbroken.

“We never wanted this ending we kept hopeful, goodbye my crazy bunch of spots. “RIP Lottie.”

Lottie was stolen from the family’s home in Peatling Parva between 3am and 7am on Sunday December 1 by ruthless burglars.

World-famous TV presenter Chris Packham, who has asperger syndrome, a form of autism, backed the family’s battle to find Lottie as the story went viral.

Posting a picture of Chloe cuddling Lottie on his Twitter page, the Springwatch star tweeted: “Please help reunite Chloe with Lottie.

“I can imagine her life without her and it isn’t good.”

Gemma told the Harborough Mail at the time that Lottie was snatched from her kitchen along with her bed.

“Lottie has a kidney problem and goes to the toilet a lot so we leave the back door open for her to go into the garden.

“She’s so clever that she even shuts the door behind her.

“I’m sure Lottie was stolen to order,” she said.

“A drone hovered over our house just days before she was taken.

“It had three or four cameras and I’m convinced the crooks were targeting us.

“They were carrying out high-tech surveillance before coming to steal Lottie.”

Gemma said the wicked crime had “ripped the heart” out of Chloe’s life.

“These evil people have destroyed her world.

“They’ve just turned up and stolen her best friend,” said Gemma.

“It’s heartbreaking to see Chloe crying her eyes out until 2am in the morning because she can’t get to sleep.

“We’ve been walking all over the fields around here shouting out Lottie’s name in case she’s out there.

“We’re also searching every barn in the area.

“We’ll never give up trying to find Lottie – it’s like losing a child.”

The brave mum’s campaign to track down Lottie was shared by Facebook users all over the world.

“I’ve even had people ringing up from Wales and as far away as Australia wishing us well.

“On the other hand I’ve had sick people shouting down my phone in the early hours that my dog is dead,” said Gemma in December.

Big-hearted dog lover Catherine Lightbown has now launched an online fund in a bid to buy Chloe a puppy.

Based in Boston, Lincs, Catherine has written on her gofundme page: “Nothing can ever replace the love and support that Lottie brought to Chloe but it could go some way to mend her broken heart.

“So please, even if it's a pound anything you can spare, could help put a smile back on a little girl’s face and if you can't donate then please share thank you.”

She’s already raised £185 of her £1,500 target.

If you would like to support Catherine’s effort please visit her gofundme page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-put-a-smile-back-on-a-little-girls-f