A PET dog has gone missing after burglars ransacked a home in Clacton.

It is thought that the homeowner’s five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Jess, may have run off during the raid.

The burglary happened in Dudley Road between 8.15am and 3.15pm on Wednesday after the thieves got in through an unlocked back door.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A messy search of the property was made and police are still establishing what, if anything, was stolen.

“The victim’s Staffordshire bull terrier is now missing from the address.

“It is possible it ran off during the burglary.”

The pet dog is described as having brindle colouring with a white neck and one white paw.

Anyone with information about the burglary or who has spotted the dog is asked to call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 1111.