WALTHAM ABBEY: Thieves hang dog and steal five more (From This Is Local London)

WALTHAM ABBEY: Thieves hang dog and steal five more

10:25am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in News By Daniel Binns

AN ANIMAL lover has been left distraught after thieves hung her guard dog from his own kennel and then stole four newborn puppies and their mother.

Hollie Oake, 25, made the horrifying discovery this morning at her stables in The Potteries, Southend Lane, Waltham Abbey.

Luckily Ms Oake managed to rescue her rottweiler Mooney – who had been strung up with a horse lead rope – before he died.

She said: “I'm devastated. It's been quite traumatising. I walked into the yard and saw him there and got him down from the kennel, then I realised what had happened.

"He was conscious when I got to him which makes me think they must've broken in just a few hours earlier this morning.

“I just can't believe it. This is the third time we've been burgled in the last year and it must be someone we know because they are aware of the layout of the stables and keep taking our animals.

“The dogs aren't valuable or rare - it's not like anyone can sell them on for lots of money. I think someone saw them and wanted them for themselves.

“I'm worried for the safety of the puppies. They are just over a week old but they've probably been thrown into some dirty old van. Who knows what's happened to them.”

In the summer thieves broke into the stables and stole a number of chickens, before striking again in October and making off with two other dogs.

But Ms Oake said this burglary was the worst yet and is appealing for help from the public in Epping Forest to help track down her beloved pets and bring the thieves to justice.

The mother dog is a lake land terrier cross jack russell with an orange-white chest and rough hair.

The puppies are described as a black girl with a white chest, a black and white girl, a brown and white boy and a black and white boy.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

Visit guardian-series.co.uk later today to see photographs of the dogs.