A HEARTBROKEN dog owner says ‘it’s like someone has taken my babies away’ after a litter of nine puppies was stolen.

Corrie Mullaney has been left devastated after thieves smashed a window and broke into her house in Shadsworth in the early hours of Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, who works at Studio Express Gifts in Accrington, had been staying at her mum’s house in Blackburn at the time.

She says pooches Baley and Leo have been left wandering around the house searching for the three week old Staffordshire Bull terrier pups.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Corrie said: “I got a phone call at 3.05am from one of my partner’s mates saying they had gone to the house and the window had been smashed and the puppies were gone.

“Whoever did it left the mum and dad and I could not believe it.

“The mum is so upset and depressed looking for the puppies. I have been with her through thick and thin and she is not leaving the caged area they were in and won’t eat or drink and then she looks for them.

“The puppies should not be away from their mother after three weeks and I am worried they may not survive.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“They are not strong enough yet and I have only started them with milk and some meat.

“It is my first litter and was a bit of an accident as the mum got pregnant.

“Somebody must have known we were having the puppies and that is why they have broken in and stolen them.

There are three sandy puppies, three brown ones with white chests then one or two have white markings on the face and two have tiger stripes. It is estimated they would sell for £1,000 each.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Corrie is not a registered breeder - licences are only needed if people run a business that breeds and advertises dogs for sale or breeds three or more litters in a year.

Corrie added: “You hear about this sort of thing all the time of puppies being taken but you never expect it to happen to you.

“I was not able to go into work as I am so upset.

“All I want is my puppies back just for the sake of my dogs and I am scared about how it is going to affect them and whether the puppies can survive.”

Sgt Steve Dundon of Blackburn neighbourhood police team said: “We are aware of this incident and are appealing for help from members of the public.

“These dogs are too hot to handle and should not be away from their parents at this age. If anyone has information about these puppies, they should contact us on 101 using the log number of 113 of March 3.”

If you have any information about the puppies then email corrie_11@hotmail.co.uk