Mama na wanawe tisa waibwa

Nine puppies and their mother, said to be worth a total of £10,000, have been stolen in a heartbreaking case of dognapping.

The Dogue de Bordeauxs were taken from an unlocked shed in a back garden.

Owner Maria Smallman, 52, said she and her 16-year-old daughter Donna had been left ‘absolutely devastated’.

She added: ‘They have taken the mother knowing the puppies are still feeding off her.’

The family bought the mother, called Tia, eight months ago and she gave birth to her litter last month. Each dog is said to be worth about £1,000.