Puppies returned to their family after seven were stolen in burglary at Christmas – but two are still missing

Two puppies have been returned to their family after a litter was stolen in a Christmas burglary – but another two still remain missing. 

A group of seven lurcher pups were taken from Shroton in Dorset after callous raiders broke into a building between 10.50pm and 11.10pm on December 28. 

Three of the dogs were found days later – but another two have now been located after they were handed into a vets in Fordingbridge in Hampshire.

A 28-year-old man from East Dorset and a 22-year-old woman from Wimborne have been arrested on suspicion of burglary, police have said.

A man aged in his 40s has also been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. All three suspects have been released on bail and inquiries are ongoing.

The devastated owner of the puppies previously shared a CCTV image on Facebook of the moment someone broke into their property.    

In the picture a man can be seen striding across the room where the puppies are kept holding a torch in one hand and an unknown object in the other.

Three of severm lurcher puppies stolen just days after Christmas were previously found The puppies were stolen from a property in Shroton, Dorset

In a chilling CCTV image shared on Facebook a suspect can be seen striding across the room where the puppies are kept holding a torch in one hand and an unknown object in the other

Users on social media reacted with horror to news of the theft. 

One person said: ‘Can’t believe someone would do that, lowest of the low!!! I hope they get found’.

Another added: ‘This is awful. I really hope they return to you. Why are people so cruel to do this?’

‘Disgusting behaviour! Poor puppies,’ a third commented.

Police have appealed to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the remaining two missing lurcher puppies to come forward. 

PC Kate Schofield, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: ‘We are delighted to inform the public that another two puppies have been located and the family are elated to hear this welcome news.

‘However, there are still two puppies out of the litter of seven that we urgently need to find and bring home.

The five-week-old dogs were reported missing from Shroton in Dorset after callous raiders broke into a building between 10.50pm and 11.10pm on December 28

‘Should you become aware of their location, we would urge you to get in contact. 

‘Due to the large public attention on this matter, it may be that these puppies are discarded or being offered for sale in suspicious circumstances, and we ask the public to remain vigilant and get in contact with any possible information.

‘This investigation is very much live as we continue to pursue every available line of enquiry available to us – including liaising with neighbouring forces – to both find the final two missing puppies and establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.’