A disabled woman today appealed for help to catch thieves who stole her puppy from her garden.

Janet Wilson, 50, left the four-month-old Bichon Frise cross poodle at the back of her home in Cornflower Road, Jaywick, for just 15 minutes last night.

The puppy was in the garden with her three other dogs but when they were called in the puppy was missing.

A distraught Mrs Wilson said today: "I have been up most of the night. Every time I heard a bark outside I thought it was her.

"We have asked everyone we could think of but no-one has seen her. My grandchildren will be devastated when they find out she has gone."

Mrs Wilson paid £125 for the dog which is white with apricot markings under the eyes and on the nose.

She is convinced the puppy has been snatched by people looking to sell her on.

There is an alleyway running alongside Mrs Wilson's home and she is sure someone took the dog while she was on the telephone.

"We put the dogs out at about 7pm and it could only have been about 15 minutes before we called them in," she said.

"I would ask anyone who knows anyhting about this theft to either contact me or the police. If someone has my puppy they can just put her back in the garden."

Anyone with information can call Mrs Wilson on 01255 479312 or Clacton police on 01255 221312.

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