'I was just devastated to see she'd gone' - Pair of cocker spaniels stolen from West Lothian home

Owners have been left devastated after two cocker spaniels were stolen from a kennel near Broxburn.
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Joy Maclean said she was eating dinner when two men arrived at her home, Almondell Lodge, and stole two dogs from a kennel at the back of her house on Sunday at about 7.50pm.

One of the stolen dogs, called Lottie, is hers and the other, called Mona, belongs to neighbour Kirsty Scotland.

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Lottie is orange roan and Mona is black and white with tanned markings. Both dogs are five years old.

Lottie, pictured left, Mona, bottom right, and the vehicle that was caught on CCTV camera at Almondell Lodge.Lottie, pictured left, Mona, bottom right, and the vehicle that was caught on CCTV camera at Almondell Lodge.
Lottie, pictured left, Mona, bottom right, and the vehicle that was caught on CCTV camera at Almondell Lodge.

Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News about the night the pair were stolen Ms Maclean said: "I was busy eating and the TV was on and I didn’t hear anything.

"It was only when I went to let the cat outside that I suddenly heard the dogs going completely nuts.

"The men had obviously come prepared with bolt cutters and made their way round the back of the house, cut through the chains and broke down the door to the kennel.”

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Ms Maclean said four dogs were in the kennel at the time, but two managed to escape from the thieves.

About two and a half years ago, three of her cocker spaniels were taken from the same address, but luckily all were found and returned home.

"It’s happened before where I’ve found one of my stolen dogs abandoned and tied up on the side of the road,” she said.

"Another one managed to escape whoever he was taken by and was found by a dog walker.

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"My worry with these two is they’re both female and whoever has taken them will likely want to breed from them.”

Ms Scotland, speaking about her missing Mona, said: “I was just devastated to see that she'd gone when we searched the area shortly afterwards.

"We have had a look at the CCTV and there were definitely two men involved.

"I really hope we get them back.”

CCTV footage from Sunday evening shows the thieves arrived in a blue Mitsubishi 4x4 vehicle.

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Ms Scotland said one of the men involved was wearing a baseball cap at the time of the incident.

Police have put out an appeal asking members of the public to come forward if they witnessed the theft or know anything of the dogs’ whereabouts.

A police spokesman said: “At about 7.50pm on Sunday 7 March 2021, the occupants of a blue Mitsubishi 4x4 vehicle broke into the grounds of Almondell Lodge, Almondell.

"The two occupants got out of the car and forced entry to a shed and stole two dogs, both cocker spaniels.

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“Officers are appealing for any information regarding this incident to contact them. In particular, they are appealing for any motorists with dash cams who were in the Almondell area on Sunday to check their footage as it may have captured images of the Mitsubishi which could assist officers in their enquiries.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3582 of 7 March, 2021. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give your information anonymously.”

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