Family's devastation as dog stolen from yard near Rothwell

A woman has spoken of her family's heartbreak after their beloved dog was stolen from their yard near Rothwell.

Amelia Brookshaw's family's Springer spaniel Cressy went missing from Thorpe Underwood Farm, between Harrington and Rothwell, last Thursday (January 28), and is believed to have been taken at about 2.55pm.

The failed gun dog, who is on medication and needs constant care, was in the yard where a main gate is locked and a small side gate is not locked but kept shut.

Amelia said her mum heard barking - not unusual as their dogs often bark when someone walks past - and found two-and-a-half year old Cressy was not there when she went outside shortly after with the gate open.

University student Amelia, 21, said: "We are absolutely devastated, it's heartbreaking.

"Cressy is my father's dog. We've never had anything like this happen before."

Family members say Cressy, who has white and brown markings on her body and a brown face, wouldn't have disappeared on her own as she would have been terrified.

They carried out an extensive search of the area to see if they could find her but did not.

The family has been told a white Mercedes Vito van, with two men inside, was seen in the area in the hours before they believe Cressy was taken.

They say it had driven up and down the road three times very slowly, looking around the area

The family are currently being supported by charity Doglost and social media posts have been shared about 30,000 times.

Cruelly, after appealing for information the family received a hoax text from someone claiming they knew where Cressy was - but said they would only give them information if they were paid £100.

A police spokesman said they are actively investigating the incident as a potential theft.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.