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Dognappers hold knife to stomach of pregnant mother as they steal eight newborn puppies

Police are searching for two men who threatened a pregnant woman and her young children with a knife and stole eight newborn puppies from their home.

Two raiders forced their way into the family’s home in Stretford, Greater Manchester, armed with a knife and took the one-day-old French Bulldog puppies.

Police said the two men demanded cash and mobile phones from the 26-year-old mother, who was six months pregnant, before stealing the puppies and fleeing.

<em>The one-day-old French Bulldog puppies were taken by two raiders (PA)</em>
The one-day-old French Bulldog puppies were taken by two raiders (PA)

Greater Manchester Police has released CCTV footage of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incident which took place in Alpha Road at around 9.50pm on Tuesday.

The force fears for the puppies who it said were too young to be away from their mother for long.

Detective Sergeant Dave Jones said: ‘It’s completely shocking that a pregnant woman and her three young children have faced such a terrifying ordeal, and we are determined to find the men responsible.

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‘As well as finding the offenders, an immediate priority is to find these puppies.

‘They are only a day old, and they won’t survive for long without their mum, so they need to be brought home as soon as possible.

<em>The incident which took place in Alpha Road in Stretford at around 9.50pm on Tuesday (Google)</em>
The incident which took place in Alpha Road in Stretford at around 9.50pm on Tuesday (Google)

‘I need anyone with information about the whereabouts of the puppies, or the men responsible, to please contact police as a matter of urgency.’

Witnesses are asked to call police on 0161 856 7747 quoting reference number 2218 of 24/10/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.