A DOG-LOVER fears two valuable beagles have been stolen - leaving a litter of puppies pining for their mum.

Jane Howells is desperate to have the mother-and-daughter dogs returned as they are much-loved family pets.

The mother, who has already produced two Crufts champions, has left behind her six-week-old puppies.

Mrs Howells, who lives at New Lane farm, Harthill, said: 'We live on a farm and they run around the farm. There are some woods at the back and the Sandstone Trail runs through them.

'They went off together for a bit of a wander and about 4pm I had to go out. I came home expecting to see her on the doorstep waiting to feed her puppies.

'I think they have been stolen from the Sandstone Trail. I'm absolutely devastated and my son Richard is in a terrible state. They would never wander off. The old girl is five years old and she knows those woods like the back of her paws so she can't have got lost.'

Mrs Howells has been in contact with police, the RSPCA and local dog wardens but to no avail.

'Somebody must have seen them or seen something. I have put posters everywhere,' she said.

Mrs Howells said there are caves near the trail frequented by down-and-outs and drug addicts. She wonders whether somebody might have seen a chance to make a few pounds to feed their habit.

She said: 'You get some very odd people around here. I don't want to even think about what might have happened to them. Someone who breeds red setters was telling me they sell dogs abroad to be skinned.

'I've heard they can be used for covering children's toys. I don't want to think down that road.'

Mrs Howells does not wish to give the dogs' names in case this makes it easier for a thief to pass them on.

She said the mother and her 14-month-old daughter have collars with her name, address and phone number plus a tag indicating they have been micro-chipped.

This means that if the dogs end up in front of a vet they should be scanned as a matter of routine, and a message will flash up indicating they are stolen.

Though the beagles are pedigrees, Mrs Howells, who is married to Michael and has an 11-year-old son, says to her they are simply beloved pets. Anyone able to help trace the dogs, who went missing last Wednesday, can call the Howells family on 01829 782357.