Oakengates Carnival joy turns to heartache as dogs stolen

The six-year-old was carnival princess at Oakengates on Saturday. But the next day the family's happiness turned to sadness when the dog thieves struck at their home in Donnington, Telford, taking away two pets worth £1,000 each.

Cheryl and Shaun Taylor and their three children, including Shay, three, and Leo, one, were devastated to find two of their beloved pets had been taken from the front garden of their home in Haywood Avenue. Thieves moved a bin and a wooden door before cutting through a wire mesh fence to get to the pedigree Chihuahuas, which were in a secure pen.

They struck shortly after 4pm on Sunday and took the dogs while the family was at home.

Distraught Mrs Taylor said: "I just want to find them. How could anyone steal from children? It's just heartbreaking and I don't understand.

"The children are gutted and I can't stop crying. I know the dogs have a high value, but they are part of our family. We had them when each of our younger children was born – they have grown up with them and don't understand where they have gone.

"The first thing Shay asked this morning was "Where's Rico?" How do I explain to a three-year-old someone has taken his friend away?"

The dogs are valued at £1,000 each and there is a reward for information. Both are microchipped and the family have informed the vets, police and neighbours.

Rico is a three-year-old male teacup Chihuahua. He is white with black markings. Chika is a one-year-old sandy coloured female. Her front left paw is white.

Police spokesman Chris Ammonds said: "The theft of two dogs happened between 4.10pm and 4.30pm on Sunday when the unknown individuals approached the front garden of the home and forced a wire mesh fence upwards.

"Officers are investigating the matter and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around that time."

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 22GB41390N13.