Children in tears as six-month-old puppy snatched from family home

Nala the cavapoo was taken during a burglary at the home of Stacey Pearson and family in Burntwood on Wednesday.

CCTV footage captured from the scene shows a man wearing a blue hoodie breaking into the home on Ogley Hay Road before leaving with the dog.

Stacey, 36, said the break-in happened within minutes of her leaving the house at around 8.43am.

"They broke in through the back door and they just went in and stole the dog – they went for the dog," she said.

"Nothing else was taken from the house and she's not even a pedigree.

"She was eight weeks old when we first got her and she's six months now – we've had her for four months.

"She's treated like a child – she's part of the family, she's not a pet.

"We're all devastated.

"We don't care about the man or the break-in, we just want the dog back."

Appeal

Stacey and members of her family have since launched a social media appeal in a bid to track down their beloved pet.

Nala was named after The Lion King character by Stacey's three children - Casey, Oliver and Joshua – who were in "floods of tears" after being told their dog was gone.

Stacey said: "I've had to tell them because there's been a break-in and the dog is missing – I told them and they were devastated.

"They were in floods of tears.

"They went to bed with her toys and blankets and they're just heartbroken – I want it back for them."

A neighbour raised the alarm after hearing noise and seeing a man running away with the dog.

"She called the police and called me – she told me I had to get home and they were standing there," Stacey added.

"I was devastated."

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "Police were called to a report of a burglary on Ogley Hay Road, Burntwood, at around 8:50am.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or any suspicious behaviour in the area at that time should contact resolutioncentre@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk quoting incident number 132 of June 26."