A disabled man has been left feeling “broken” after a group of teenagers stole his three-month-old puppy, says his father.

Ryan Gilhooly, 20, was at home in Temple Hill, Dartford, with rottweiler Lola when he heard a knock at the door.

The female puppy followed Ryan as he went to answer. After opening the door, a gang of three youths snatched the dog and ran away, he said.

Ryan, who suffers from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, attempted to chase after the boys but failed to catch them.

His father Aubrey Gilhooly usually checks up on Ryan every day but was away when the incident happened.

He said: “The gang must have known I was away on holiday so they took advantage of the situation.”

He claimed they had been giving his son trouble, knocking on his door and taunting him.

Ryan only had the puppy for nine to 10 weeks, but his father said in that short time they formed a strong bond.

“It’s a lovely dog,” said Aubery. “It’s got a beautiful nature.

“Ryan has only got one friend, but with a dog you build a never-ending friendship so I thought I know that breed and it is a good breed for companionship.

“It definitely made a difference to his behaviour.

“This whole thing has left him feeling broken.

"This whole thing has left him feeling broken." - Aubery Gilhooly

“Something has got to be done about these lads.

“They can’t get away with this.”

Police attended Ryan’s home half-an-hour after he phoned, but no one has been arrested.

The news has caused a storm online with the appeal by DogLost reaching up to 20,000 people via Facebook and Twitter.

A police spokesman said: “Police are investigating a report of theft of a dog from an address in Dartford on 1 July.

“Officers are following up lines of inquiry and have kept the victim’s father updated.

“The investigating officer is hoping to speak to the victim to establish whether he wishes to support a police investigation.”

Any information call 101 quoting CRN XY/22555/15 or call into the Civic Centre Dartford front counter and speak to any officer from the Community policing Team.

Alternatively, contact DogLost on 0844 800 3220 or go to their website.