A PUPPY stolen from its kennel was found dead beside a railway line days later.

The dismembered body of nine-month-old German Rottweiler Diesel was found by the tracks near the bridge, in Queen’s Road, Blackburn, four days after he was reported stolen.

It is believed he had been hit by a train.

The thieves had forced the back gate of a terrace house, and then kicked their way into a shed to reach the dog.

His devastated owners are now pleading for anybody with information about their pet to call police.

Kubra Mahmood, 21, said: “I am absolutely devastated.

“He was like a member of our family.

“He was like a child who we nurtured from being a couple of weeks old and, when you find out they are dead, it just breaks your heart.”

The black and tan dog is understood to have been taken from the back yard of the family home, in Steiner Street, Accrington, overnight on December 18.

Miss Mahmood said the thieves also took an elec-tric heater used to keep their pet warm, and special lighting.

Her brother Ateek, 18, said: “Somebody must have seen something, or know who did this.

“They must have known Diesel to know that he was not a vicious dog, even though he was really, really big.

“Even though we only had Diesel for a short time, he had a huge impact on our family.”

PC Anna Gavela, from the planned response unit, appealed for information.

She said: “The offenders forced the rear gate of the terrace house and then kicked their way into the shed and took the puppy out.

“It has now been found dead on a railway line.

“I would appeal for any-body who knows anything about this incident to get in touch with us.”

Anybody with inform-ation should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anon- ymously on 0800 555111.