Thieves are believed to have stolen a family’s beloved Chihuahua after creeping into their home in Eden.
Owner Debbie Cartmel-Hutchinson is appealing for information after their much-loved dog, Chocky, was stolen on Sunday afternoon from Berrier, near Greystoke.
Thieves are thought to have struck around 3.30pm by creeping through the back door of the family home at Nobles Farm and have stolen Chocky while Debbie’s 13-year-old daughter, Connie, was upstairs in the house.
Security CCTV footage at their home shows Chocky going into the house at 3.33pm, followed just minutes later by Debbie who discovered her dog missing.
The family, including Debbie’s husband Paul and son Harry, 12, have been left devastated at the theft.
“Everyone knows my dog because he’s a teacup Chihuahua and a chocolate colour which is quite unusual.
“He goes everywhere with us and is always with us, he never leaves my side so there’s no way he would have ever wandered off.
“We are all heartbroken, devastated, empty. I can’t think, it’s just awful. It’s like someone’s died but there’s no closure and to think someone has been inside our house is awful,” Debbie said.
A red Vauxhall Corsa/ Ford Fiesta size vehicle was seen in a lay-by at Berrier around the time of the theft and seen to speed off.
Chocky is male, neutered and microchipped. He is said to hate the sound of electric goods, such as hoovers and hairdryers, and barks profusely on hearing them. The family have owned him around seven years.
The incident has been reported to Cumbria police and a post appealing for his return has been shared widely online.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.
