Thieves steal four puppies from a farm in the Harborough district

Thieves who stole four puppies from a farm in the Harborough district are being hunted by police.

The gang pinched the Jack Russell pups – three boys and a girl – from a farm in Gilmorton, near Lutterworth.

The criminals took the 10-week-old dogs between 5pm and 8pm on Wednesday November 11 in what’s suspected to be a targeted theft.

The puppies were being kept in a crate inside the farm.

The thieves are believed to have stolen the four siblings after getting in through a kitchen window.

Their mum and one other puppy were left behind by the offenders.

The stolen pets have not yet been microchipped or had their vital injections, leaving them vulnerable to diseases.

Police are urging anyone who has seen the puppies in person – or been offered them for sale – to get in touch urgently.

PC Julie Toone, the investigating officer, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who has information regarding this burglary.

“Please look closely at the photograph provided.

“Do you recognise them?

“Have you seen them listed for sale – or have you been offered the opportunity to buy one?”

She added: “Any information that you have, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, could help my investigation.”

You can pass on information online by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 20*598386.

You can also call the police on 101.

The theft of dogs and puppies is said to have rocketed across the UK this year as the demand for pets shot up amid the Covid-19 pandemic.