A FAMILY of dog lovers is going through a living hell after their three beloved Cocker Spaniels were stolen along with the Land Rover they were in.

Robert Smith and his family have been left heartbroken after their gun dogs (pictured right) were taken when their vehicle was stolen on Cliffe Marshes on Wednesday.

Robert, 55, who is a dock worker and lives in Cliffe, visits the marshes regularly, to feed some ducks he owns.

He said: "I guess whoever took the Land Rover may have known I go there regularly - I think it may have been an organised gang.

"I don’t just don’t know if they had been watching me as it was a windy day and even though I was only about 500 yards away I never heard a thing.

"We just want the dogs back, they are working dogs but are pets too. My wife Carol and daughter Kelly and I are all heartbroken.

"The whole situation is a living nightmare, we love all three of them and just want them returned."

The dogs, pictured here, are aged one, two and seven, but we are not revealing their names at the request of Mr Smith.

Detectives have launched an investigation and would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the Land Rover or have been offered the dogs, or may have information leading to their whereabouts, to contact them.

The theft happened between 1.15pm and 1.35pm at the entrance to Cliffe Marshes, Cliffe, near Rochester.

It is believed the metallic green Land Rover Defender was driven towards the Gravesend area via minor back roads.

It is also thought to have been spotted at about 2pm at the Dartford Crossing. It is worth about £18,000 and the registration is: GJ05 BDE.

Det Con Graham Leighton, said: "These dogs are much-loved pets and Mr Smith is desperate to get them back.

"Thankfully they were micro-chipped so if someone thinks they may have seen them I would ask them to get in contact as proving ownership will be relatively simple."

Anyone with information should call 01634 792528, CrimeStoppers on 0800 5551111.