A family who had five French Bulldog puppies stolen during a burglary have been reunited with one of the litter.
The family from Royton are now making a hopeful plea to the public to find their four remaining missing pups.

The five French Bulldog pups, valued at several thousand pounds each, were stolen from the family home in Royton during a burglary on Saturday 5 March 2016, sometime between 6.45pm and 9.30pm.

The thieves forced entry to the rear of the house and stole the five puppies, who were aged six weeks at the time, from their mother. Nothing else was stolen during the burglary.

On 14 March 2016, police enquiries led officers to a house in north Manchester, where one of the puppies named Frankie, was safely recovered.

The four other puppies are still missing.

A 23-year-old woman and two men, aged 20 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with this case and have been bailed until 16 April 2016 pending further enquiries.

Rob and Victoria Hollingsworth, the dogs owners, said: “When we walked into the house, saw the footprints across the floor and realised that the puppies had been taken, it was just devastating and we were in shock for days afterwards.

“We have cared for and looked after these puppies from the moment they were born and to think that they have been taken from us and could now be somewhere they are not being looked after properly, is very distressing.
“When we got the call from the police to say they had found one of the pups and were on their way round to the house with it, it was the best feeling and we remain hopeful every day that we are going to find our four missing pups.
“The support we have had from the public and on social media has been overwhelming and we are asking anyone at all that has any information about where our pups might be, to please get in touch so we can bring them home.”

Detective Sergeant Jason Byrne from GMP’s Oldham division said: “It is not just the theft of the puppies itself that has had such a devastating impact on this family, but the fact that they were stolen away from their mother at such a young, vulnerable age and before they were ready to leave her, has left the owners desperately concerned for their welfare. Two weeks on, these pups are now at an age where they require their vaccinations to keep them healthy.

“Thankfully little Frankie has been recovered safe and well, but we are now appealing for members of the public to please come forward if they have any information about where the other four remaining pups may be, so they too can be reunited with their mum.
“Have you been offered any French Bulldog pups for sale at a discounted price, or have you perhaps seen anyone with just a number of young pups on their own and are unsure where they have got them from?
“Any information that can help us to safely bring back together this little family will be greatly appreciated by the owners and the police, and our investigation into this case is very much ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Oldham CID on 0161 856 8972.

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