Police appeal after 14 dogs and puppies stolen from Upwell breeder
A Fenland breeder says she has been left heartbroken after 14 dogs and puppies were stolen from her premises during the early hours of this morning.
Police have appealed for witnesses following the raid on Justdogz in New Road, Upwell, which happened between 1.30 and 2.30am today.
Owner Justine Wells said she had never been targeted by thieves before in 19 years as a breeder and insists her main concern was the animals' welfare.
She said: "As long as I know they're safe and well, I could live with that. That's the heartbreaking bit, not knowing.
"I have six children, but I have 100 more children with fur coats. They're my babies. They're my life.
"I feel angry. I feel sick to my stomach. I feel like I could fill a river, but what good would it do?"
The animals stolen were:
Two golden cocker spaniels girls
A sable cocker spaniel girl
A black cocker spaniel girl
A lemon and white cocker spaniel girl
A lemon roam cocker spaniel boy
A blue roam cocker spaniel girl
Four cocker spaniel puppies - a white and sable girl, a white and sable boy, a sable boy and an orange and white boy
Three cocker poo puppies - one black boy, an apricot boy and an apricot girl.
Ms Watts said one of the adult dogs was thought to be carrying puppies.
She added she had been receiving more than 30 messages a day from people interested in buying a puppy and fears the level of demand may be a factor in the incident.
Asked what she would say to those responsible for the raid, she said: "I don't think you could air the words I would say to them.
"How can they just be so inconsiderate? I have raised them. I have sat with their mothers, hand delivering these puppies. I've seen them grow up."
Ms Watts said staff had been in tears when they learned of the raid and thanked people for sharing her appeal about the incident on Facebook.
Police say they want to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, or who may have been offered the dogs for sale.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Daniel Brock, of Downham police, on 101, quoting reference number 36/30593/20
