Bradford family ‘caught up’ over dog missing after burglary

A dog owner said she has “barely slept a wink” since her pooch escaped during a break-in at a West Yorkshire kennel.

Three-year-old Pixie was among the dogs that escaped during a break-in at Crystal Spring Kennels in Leeds at around 01:00 BST on Sunday.

Her owner, Justine Pennington, said two of the family’s pets — Zelda, a German shepherd, and Pearl, a dachshund — had been brought back to the kennel, but Pixie, an Isabella Dapple Dachshund, was still missing.

West Yorkshire Police said a 47-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail.

Mrs Pennington, 41, of Ravenscliffe, Bradford, said the family were on holiday in Cornwall when they were told the shelters had been broken into.

She said the family immediately ended their holiday and returned to Yorkshire.

“My stomach dropped when I heard the news,” Ms Pennington said.

“I haven’t slept since.

“We had drones but they were not spotted. We are heartbroken.”

Three dogs were initially missing and Arnold, a French bulldog, was found at around 11pm BST on Sunday, kennel owner Lesley Hirst said.

Pixie, who has been with the Penningtons since she was a puppy, and a brown Patterdale Terrier have yet to be found.

“We just have to find them,” Ms Hirst, 64, said.

“It’s my worst nightmare. I don’t sleep.”

Mrs Hirst, whose mother opened the kennel in 1969, said K9 SAR, a volunteer group that searches for lost animals, was “fantastic”.

She said: “They didn’t stop looking, knocking on doors, putting up posters.”

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: “We are investigating a burglary at this location.

“A 47-year-old man has been arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.”