Family heartbreak after two dogs stolen during break-in at farm

A father has spoken of his family’s heartbreak after their two dogs were stolen during a break-in at a farm in Essex.

Brandy and Dash had been part of the family since they were puppies but were stolen from a farm building in Bulmer, just after 8am on June 11.

The thieves forced open the door and broke the padlock and are believed to have used a vehicle to cross a field to get to the farm building.

The owner said he is yet to tell his four-year-old son, who believes they have gone away to be trained.

“It breaks my heart I’m going to have to tell him,” he said.

“You want to bring up your children to think it’s a nice world.

“I don’t want to be telling him some bad people have taken his dogs and the world is full of bad people.”

Dash is just under two years old and is a black cocker spaniel with a prominent white chest and some white on her back left paw. She has a docked tail and is described as small for her breed.

Brandy is a three-year-old liver and white English springer spaniel.

She is described as being timid with strangers.

Both are trained gun dogs. “We are all just praying to God they will turn up,” said their owner.

“The police have been helpful, you couldn’t wish for anybody to be more helpful.”

Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of Dash and Brandy is asked to call the Braintree local policing team on 101 quoting reference 42/83790/20.

You can also report online at essex.police.uk, or contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.