Raiders snatch pet quails from Telford garden

The culprits struck at the home of Carnina and Ernest Harris in Brook Road, Madeley. Police are appealing for information about the incident, which happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Mr Harris, 71, and his 66-year-old wife were at home during the break-in but did not hear anything.

They woke on Sunday morning to discover that the 15 Chinese painted quails had been snatched from a pen in their back garden.

The theft has devastated the couple's grandson Oliver Reeves.

Mrs Harris, a support worker, said: "We have only had the quails about five or six months

"We kept them outside in a little incubator, I only wish now we had put a lock on the pen.

"We normally keep my son's dogs in the house and if they had been here they would have heard them and gone ballistic.

"The reason we got the birds is because Oliver is so into them. He loves coming over here to look after the birds with his granddad."

Mrs Harris said her husband had also been shocked by the theft.

"My husband is extremely upset, he feels like crying," she said. The birds had got used to him and they took food from his hands."

Mrs Harris said she was prepared to offer a reward to anyone who could help track down the birds.

Force Duty Inspector for West Mercia Police, Andy Smith, appealed for anyone who may have been offered the birds to come forward.

He said: "The theft took place some time between 11pm on Saturday and 7.45am on Sunday.

"If anyone saw anything or has been offered the Chinese painted quails please get in touch with police."

Call 101 or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.