THIS is the horrific moment a helpless puppy was snatched by a heartless thief dressed as a delivery driver.
Distressing CCTV footage revealed 16-month-old Dachshund, Twiglet, being brutally ripped from her Essex home.
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The intruder, who pulled up in an old-style blue Mercedes, was seen smashing the patio doors at the property in Catmere End, Saffron Walden, at around 3p.m on Wednesday, July 26.
In the seconds that followed, Twiglet was cornered by the burglar in the kitchen, and the squealing pup desperately tried to escape.
Dressed in light wash jeans, yellow high-vis vest and cap, the fake delivery driver managed to grab the Dachshund and flee through the broken doors.
He roughly put one hand around the little pup’s snout in an attempt not to get bitten, while his other hand held Twiglet’s back legs together.
Twiglet’s heartbroken family are urging anyone who may have information to contact Essex Police and help bring their beloved pet home.
Officers are also on the hunt for the burglar and appealing for any witnesses that could help their investigation.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for the public’s help to locate Twiglet the Dachshund, who was stolen following a burglary in Saffron Walden on Wednesday, 26 July.
“Officers were called to the address in Catmere End, Saffron Walden on July 26 following reports of a burglary, which occurred around 3pm.
“A review of the internal CCTV cameras shows a man smashing the patio door and taking 16-month old Dachshund, Twiglet.
“Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.”
Detective Inspector Jamie Stirland from our Criminal Investigation Department said “This burglary has been incredibly distressing for the victims and as the public can imagine, they just want to see the safe return of Twiglet.
“Thefts such as these are rare and we are taking this investigation seriously and carrying out multiple enquiries, including reviewing CCTV in the area.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have any information to contact us and assist with this investigation.
“I am also directly appealing to the man in this video, asking him to return Twiglet safely.”
If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident you can submit a report on the Essex Police website, use our online Live Chat service available or call 101.
An anonymous report can be made through CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
Please quote incident 739 of 26 July when providing any information.
This comes as many other dog owners go through the same pain.
One Brit said her pet was stolen by a fake Good Samaritan while she had a heart attack.
Kat Conway, 50, collapsed in the street as she was walking her shih-poo called Jessie.
She said a blond man came to help but then took her apricot-coloured dog near St Pancras station, central London.
Meanwhile, a traumatised mum was bombarded with horrific calls threatening to chop up her daughter’s stolen puppy.
Beloved red toy poodle, Smaila, was abducted from Gintare’s van at the end of March while the family was shopping in Edmonton – she fainted at the discovery.
After Smaila’s disappearance, mum Gintare was hounded by scammers claiming to have their prized pooch.
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