Chadwell Heath dog vanishes in Christmas burglary attempt

HEARTLESS thieves have destroyed a little girl's Christmas after her pet dog went missing during an attempted burglary.

Ten-year-old Khia Waterman and her mum, Denise, are appealing to anyone who may have their nine-month-old Staffordshire Terrier Gucci, to return her home.

The two were devastated when they came home late on Saturday (December 12) to find that Gucci had disappeared.

Denise, of Shepherds Close, Chadwell Heath, said she had left the dog indoors with the door to the conservatory slightly open so that she could get outside.

But when she returned home, all doors were shut, while the front gates and the gate to the garden were wide open and unlatched.

She said: "My heart was in my mouth. I just thought: oh my god.

"I was in a state, I was just crying."

The incident has had a devastating effect on Khia.

Denise said: "She does not want to sleep in her room anymore. It's a lot for her to take.

"It's not just the dog but the fact that someone got into my property.

"Gucci is a major part of the family. She's so soppy and so playful. Staffs get so much bad press at the moment.

"But she loves children and the most that she would do is to lie underneath a chair or lick them up."

Denise has been ringing vets and dog homes for days to no avail.

Now the two are appealing to anyone who may recognise Gucci, to return her to any police station, vet's or dog's home.

She is black with a white front and has a few strands of white hair at the end of her tail.

On her chest she has a patch that looks like a paw print.

She did not wear her collar when she disappeared, and has worry lines on the top of her head, Denise said.

She added: "I don't want any repercussions. Just tie her up outside a police station or say that you have found her. All I want for Christmas is my dog back.