THE theft of a family’s beloved one-year-old puppy has left a “a big hole” in their home they say.

Topsy, a female white and tan Jack Russell, was taken on Monday at about 5.30pm from the Allen’s house – Winterbrook Farm at Blewbury near Didcot.

The family’s pet, which they bred themselves, was taken from the garden while mum Carol was indoors.

Mrs Allen, 54, a farmer, said she heard a vehicle screeching to a halt outside the house before it sped off.

She said: “I heard this big screeching noise like a boy racer and it was loud enough for me to look out of the window, but I couldn’t see anything as the car had already gone.

“About 20 minutes later when my daughter Jess returned home we realised that Topsy was missing.

“A couple of neighbours, one who was walking their dog and another who bringing their tractor back said they had seen a Jeep which had blacked-out windows.”

She said neighbours walking their dogs along the track near the farm reported seeing a man taking the dog from the garden and so she called the police, who arrived shortly afterwards.

Emily Allen, 29, the eldest of four sisters – Katy, 27, Lucy, 27 and Jess, 22 – who live at the house with parents Carol and Anthony, 61 – said: “We are all devastated and really upset. Topsy was part of the family and there’s a big hole in our house at the moment.

“She is very innocent and doesn’t know anything outside the garden and so she will be very scared. She sleeps on beds and is very cuddly.

“She often plays in the garden, but sleeps in the kitchen next to the Aga.”

The family – who are pig and arable farmers – also have a labrador called Rosie and Topsy’s mother, another Jack Russell named Milly.

Jess Allen added: “It’s just the unknown and not knowing where she is that worries us the most.”

The family has launched appeals on Facebook and Twitter and has put up posters. On Facebook, the group ‘Find Topsy’ has been shared by thousands of people and the Twitter appeal #findtopsy has been re-tweeted numerous times. Rhianne Pope from Thames Valley Police said they believe the theft of the dog is linked to two other incidents involving a car driving away from a petrol station in Cholsey without paying for fuel and the damage of three light aircraft in Englefield, Reading costing up to £750,000.

Police are linking all three incidents because the same vehicle – a black Jeep Cherokee – was reportedly used in each of them and they took place on the same day.

Miss Pope said a 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft, making off without making payment and criminal damage. He has been released on bail until November 18.

  • The Allens will reward the return of their pet and have asked for any sightings to be given by telephoning 01235 850265.