A Chester mum has been left devastated after thieves broke into her house as she slept and stole her new puppy.

When Kia McGrath and teenage daughter Megan awoke on Monday morning, they were horrified to discover their 13-week-old mini Yorkshire terrier Baxter was not in the kitchen where they had left him.

They also discovered both of the kitchen windows in their Guilden Sutton home were wide open, despite them having been firmly shut the night before.

Kia had bought the black, white and grey puppy from a breeder for £400 only last month as a birthday gift for Megan.

They have been left so upset that they are now offering a £300 reward for the safe return of Baxter, who had only just had his first vaccinations and had not even had chance to be microchipped.

“I didn’t even realise he had gone until I came downstairs at around 6am and there was no enthusiastic greeting for me,” Kia said.

“Both the windows were open but nothing else had been taken at all, just Baxter.

“When I spoke to the breeder where I’d bought him from she told me that puppies being stolen is becoming more of a common thing.

“I stupidly let people tell me I shouldn’t keep the puppy in bed with me so left it downstairs in the kitchen – now I wish I hadn’t listened to them.”

Kia added: “We’d planned on getting Baxter for ages as a treat for Megan, it wasn’t just a spur of the moment decision.

“Now she is absolutely devastated, we’re both distraught and pining for Baxter.

“Whoever has him now, I just want them to think of the fact that someone loved him first.

“His little bed is still there with his toys, it’s horrendous. The money we paid is irrelevant - we just want him home.”

DC Nick Henderson from Cheshire police said officers were treating the incident as an isolated one.

“There have been no other reports of thefts of puppies from homes in Chester,” he said.

“We are linking it with another house burglary that took place in Guilden Sutton on the same night in which bikes were stolen.

“We would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident to call us on 101 quoting incident number 100 of September 9.”

Have you seen Baxter? He is black and tan with two white spots on his chest and brown ‘sock’ paws.' Contact police if you can help.