A WOMAN in fancy dress sparked a police hunt after five puppies were stolen from a house in Basingstoke in the run-up to Halloween.
It is feared the four-week-old bull terrier peps could be too young to survive unless they receive special care.
The dogs were snatched from a house in Barbell Avenue between 11pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday.
A report was received of a woman in a fancy dress costume seen outside the address at around 1am on the Saturday. At the same time, the witness heard a dog whimpering.
DC Pete Hanson of Basingstoke Priority Crime Unit said: "We are keen to trace this woman, as well as anyone else who may have information regarding this incident and the whereabouts of the puppies.
“The family are devastated by their loss, especially as without proper care the puppies may not survive.”
The thieves forced their way into the house, where they also took a silver 42inch JCV television and a silver laptop.
The theft of the puppies was the second incident of a pet being stolen in just four weeks.
Early last month, a woman in Dogmersfield near Fleet issued a plea for the safe return of her Jack Russell, snatched from outside her home.
The theft led to an appeal by Hart District Council dog warden Lynn Byfield for dog owners to ensure that their pets are micro-chipped.
Ms Byfield told the Basingstoke Observer: “People see stealing dogs as money for nothing and for some people it's big business.”
But the puppies were too young to have been micro-chipped by a vet and will be untraceable if they are sold on.
Three of the pups are bitches and two were described as ‘blue’ and tiger brindle, while the other has tan legs and black patches.
The two males are both white, one with a brown patch on his rear, brown marks on his back and a spot on his head. The other has brindle patches on the eyes and back.
Claire Harper, head of environmental care at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “Our general advice to dog owners is to ensure their pets are traceable through chipping and a collar and tag, and by ensuring their contact details are kept up to date.
“Unfortunately, owing to the age of the puppies, this advice could not be applied.
“It is advisable to always check with your vet on what age it is safe for a dog to be chipped.”
Anyone with information about the theft of the puppies, should call DC Pete Hanson at Basingstoke Priority Crime Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
