BULLDOG BANDITS Pups snatched by gun raiders
A GANG of masked raiders held up a terrified family at gunpoint and escaped with three tiny puppies worth up to £2,000 each.
Up to five armed men wearing balaclavas smashed through the patio door of the family home and threatened an unnamed man, his partner and their newborn baby.
CCTV footage shows one raider clutching three American Bulldog puppies in his arms as he flees the home.
One man appears to be armed with a gun while another is brandishing a crowbar.
An earlier section of film shows the raiders – all dressed in black – in the back garden as one hurls a rock through the glass door in Old Swan, Liverpool.
The others then follow him to grab the dogs before apparently fleeing in the family’s car with stolen watches and money.
Details of the raid on Sunday were posted on social media by a man who said he was the victim. He claimed six dogs were originally grabbed, but the gang only got away with three. He wrote: ‘Devastating news! Our house was robbed today at gunpoint. Me, my baby daughter and girlfriend robbed. We are all safe.
‘They robbed cars, money, watches, keys.
They took six of our puppies. We have got three back but there are still three hungry puppies out there alone. Please share everyone – £3,000 reward for safe return. We need those dogs back!’
The gang fled in a Volkswagen Golf and a Ford Focus.
Police yesterday said they had arrested men in connection with the robbery and found the Golf abandoned in Kensington, Liverpool. The Focus was reported to have crashed into a van nearby.
The suspects, aged 42 and 23, from Liverpool, are being quizzed on suspicion of aggravated burglary. Detectives said none of the family suffered injuries, but were left ‘extremely shaken’ by the ordeal.
A police spokesman said: ‘Efforts are ongoing to locate any outstanding suspects. House-to-house inquiries are being carried out and officers are exploring any CCTV opportunities in the area.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.