A COUPLE say they are devastated after their beloved dogs ‘vanished’ sparking a police investigation.

The dogs Romy, a six-month-old bull terrier and Kingston, an 18-month-old French bulldog were last seen in Hordle Street, Harwich.

Owner Lesley-Anne Hymus has left the pooches at her home while she took her son to hospital.

But when she returned the next day the dogs were no longer there.

The family immediately put calls out to the police and spoke to neighbours but the dogs have still yet to be found.

She said: “On April 20 I went to the hospital with my son at 3pm and we were gone until the evening.

“I normally leave the back door open for my dogs so they can run around in the garden but there is still no way for them to get out as we have a secure six-foot gate.”

Lesley’s partner Sam runs Essex Elitebulliez, a French bulldog breeding services, and the family are passionate about dogs.

She added: “I’ve been in touch with all the relevant parties to get help, I’ve called the dog warden multiple times they’re probably sick of me by now.

“The dogs are also microchipped so if they do get handed into a vet they can be identified.

“I’ve called the police, gone door to door and talked to my insurance company, I’ve done everything I can but it’s like they just vanished.”

The ordeal has taken the biggest toll on Lesley’s children, three girls aged 12, nine and five.

Lesley said: “My children are heartbroken, the house feels so empty without the dogs it’s like a piece of our family is missing.

“One of my daughters is absolutely distraught, she doesn’t want to stay at home anymore and I haven’t slept all week.”

The family are offering a £1,000 reward for anyone who has information leading to the dogs’ return.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell footage to contact us.

“If you have any information you can submit a report online at essex.police.uk or use the live chat button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm, quoting incident 339 of April 21.”