Reward offered by devastated owners after Coco the dog is stolen from Newport
The devastated owners of Coco the cocker spaniel are offering a reward for her safe return after thieves took her from her Newport kennel.
Katie Briggs, of Sambrook, has made a plea for her dog to be returned to her and her family after she was stolen on Friday from her kennel adjoining the family home.
Coco is 20 months old and chocolate brown in colour with a distinctive white chest and gingery tufts of hair on her head and ears.
Mrs Briggs, who also lives with her husband David and two children Benjamin, 14, and Rosie nine, said Coco was so much more to them than a pet.
"She's not just our pet, she's part of our family and we just can't believe someone would do this, we're in bits. We understand people take stuff, a lawnmower, a bike, anything but a family pet, that's dreadful," she said.
"We just want her home. She's got such a soft and gentle nature, and we just hope whoever has her is being kind to her."
Mrs Briggs said they have always kept Coco in her kennel next to their farm home but will think on in future.
She said: "I will never keep a dog in a kennel ever again, that's what this has taught me.
"We've always kept her there during the daytime believing she's safe, so what frightens us is that whoever has done this knew she was there beforehand because she's always been kept there and she doesn't make a lot of noise."
Following Coco's theft, Mrs Briggs has urged other dog owners to be vigilant.
She said: "I want other dog owners to be aware, we believe Coco has been taken for breeding purposes, and in the last couple of days we've been contacted by other cocker owners from across the country who've had their dogs taken."
If anyone has any information about Coco, contact ketley.reporters@shropshirestar.co.uk and the Shropshire Star will pass on any queries to the Briggs family.
