A devastated family are appealing for information after two young dogs were stolen from garden kennels.

Springer spaniel Clover, six months, and cocker spaniel Flora, 18 months, were taken from their home in Little Maplestead Road, Gestingthorpe, at about 3pm on Monday.

Both puppies are working dogs and live with five others, who fortunately were not stolen when thieves reversed a vehicle into the family’s garden and unlocked kennel doors.

Owner Rebecca Smith, 22, said: “I would not wish this on anyone, it’s heartbreaking.

“We don’t know where they are or how they are being treated.

“They are young and timid so they would be really scared. They get on so well, they love each other so I hope they are together.

“They are family dogs and everyone is so upset about it, it makes it worse because they are so young.”

On Tuesday morning, a day after the incident, a neighbour spotted a silver Audi estate car leaving the family’s back garden in what is believed to be a second attempt to steal the remaining dogs.

Miss Smith, along with dad Mark and brother Nick, have now installed CCTV and are ensuring someone is at home all the time.

She said: “They must have known they were there or checked the place out.

“We have five other pedigree dogs as well and they are all part of our family.

“They could have got to the others, they were ten yards away.

“These two are young girls so they can be used for breeding. We have three boys and two other girls who are older.”

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed officers were investigating the incident.

Anyone with information should contact Braintree Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.