FOUR rare, Pomeranian dogs have been stolen from kennel owners Bill and Helen Braid.

Mr and Mrs Braid, who run Burnside kennels in Hawkridge, near Westbury, have appealed for witnesses to the theft which happened on Saturday night.

Mr Braid said: "The dogs are unusual looking, they're like miniature huskies.

"My wife's very upset, they were her retirement hobby, and she thinks of them as her children."

Two years ago the Braids were the victims of a similar break-in when seven puppies were stolen.

After that incident, Mr Braid installed razor wire around his fences as a deterrent to thieves.

However, the thieves who stole the dogs on Saturday managed to cut through two rows of razor wire and reach the animals.

Mr Braid believes that the thieves are probably the same ones who stole his wife's puppies two years ago.

He said: "They came prepared. I'm sure it was the same lot that got us two years ago."

He said now that he has retired from breeding the rare dogs, there are no longer any puppies at his kennels, and it is the puppies that are usually of interest to thieves.

Westbury police are currently investigating the incident.

A police spokesman said: "If anyone is offered any of these unusual dogs to buy, or has any information, please contact PC Nix at Westbury police station on (01373) 822171."