A heart broken family is still hoping their stolen puppy will be found safe and well.

Wendy Rockeford, of Fleetwood Close, Minster, said after the theft that the pet was so loved, she felt like one of her kids had been taken.

The 36-year-old was at work at The Quays, in Sittingbourne, when her husband Paul phoned her early on Sunday, April 21, to break the news.

He had been watching TV and the couple’s four children were asleep when their pet chihuahuas Tiffany and Charlie started “going mental”.

Mr Rockeford and his eldest son Calum, 14, went to see what was happening and discovered the back door wide open and the dogs’ cream-coloured puppy Crystal nowhere to be seen.

The animals had been in the conservatory where they are always kept, and although Mr Rockeford hadn’t yet locked the door, he knows it was shut.

It is thought the break-in happened at about 1am on Sunday and it was reported to the police straight away.

When the family looked round the back garden the next morning, they found scratch marks on the fence paintwork, flattened shrubbery and an outside dog gate left open, leaving them convinced the eight-week-old pooch has been stolen rather than escaped.

The pup’s estimated value is more than £700, but Mrs Rockeford said she’s priceless to the family, adding: “My four children are absolutely devastated.

“Crystal’s not micro-chipped yet because she’s too small and it’s just awful.

“I’m terrified and I’m having the dogs sleep upstairs because I’m worried they are going to come back for the other two and I’m worried about the kids being safe.

“Tiffany keeps hunting round the house and pining for her and she’s not eating.

“I just want her back – it’s like someone has taken one of my children.

“I could accept it if they had taken the TV or something because it’s replaceable.”

She also said she would like to thank her neighbours and people on the Island for their kindness, help and support.

More than a week on, Mr Rockeford, 34, said he has had a few people say they have seen a similar looking dog in Sheerness but he’s had no firm news on her whereabouts.

“We are hoping there’s still a chance we might get her back, but we just don’t know,” he said.

“We’re just praying that someone comes forward.”

• The family is offering a £750 reward for Crystal’s safe return. Anyone with information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101.