Heartbroken owners of stolen dogs 'putting Christmas on hold' until they are found

Ria and Lizzie
Ria and Lizzie were stolen from their kennels between 10pm and 10.30pm on Sunday 5 December Credit: Charlotte Elder

The owners of two dogs, which were stolen from a house in Kent have told ITV Meridian they're putting Christmas on hold while they try and get them back.

The two three-year-old miniature dachshunds were taken from their kennels in the back garden of a property in Heath Road, East Farleigh between 10pm and 10.30pm on Sunday 5 December 2021. Suspects are alleged to have broken into an outbuilding.

Owner Charlotte Older said, "I just can't believe someone would do this just before Christmas. These people came in at the back of the house where they thought they wouldn't be caught on camera.

"Luckily my neighbour's camera picked it up.

"In the morning when we went out to feed the horses, and let the dogs out for their breakfast, Darcy the Spaniel was sick, and we discovered two of the dogs were missing."

Ria and Lizzie were taken form their kennels Credit: Charlotte Elder

Charlotte added, "It's such an awful feeling that someone has been watching us and then taken our pets. Everything is on hold, my daughter's birthday, Christmas. Until we know we are getting them back.

"My 4-year-old son is now too frightened to be anywhere in the house on his own. He's too scared to even walk from room to room.

"He keeps asking if the scary man is going to come back and take Darcy, our other pet Cocker Spaniel.

Charlotte Older, Owner

Charlotte continued, "I'm so worried. We've had Ria and Lizzie three years and they are always together. If they've been separated, they'll be so scared.

"In the summer the children just love playing with the dogs in the paddling pool. My daughter puts Ria in her dolly pram, they just love each other. It's what this does to the children. They are their little dogs.

"Our other dog is walking around pining, sniffing for them, crying. We've now had to bring her indoors, because we don't know if they'll come back and get her."

"Someone must know who these people are."

Detectives investigating the theft are due to return to the property on Thursday afternoon. They are currently examining CCTV footage as part of investigations.

CCTV Footage

Anybody with information that may assist the investigation is urged to call 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 46/251584/21. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by completing the online form on the Kent Police website.