Police issue appeal after puppies are stolen in knifepoint robbery in Sheffield

The pups, just a few weeks old, were stolen during a raid of a flat on Smelter Wood Road, Richmond, at around 6.30pm on Monday, February 22.

Two robbers, wearing masks, entered the flat when the owner of the puppies was asleep.

When he challenged them, they threatened him with a knife before stealing the litter.

South Yorkshire Police said: “Have you seen puppies matching this description? Have you seen dogs like the pup featured in the photo offered for sale or posted on social media?”

Owner Simon Hooker, 50, who had a knife held to his face during the raid, said he feared that the robbers were going to stab him.

He said one of them said: “Stay back or you will get it.”

Simon said: “They are too young to be taken. They have not been chipped or had their injections.

"I am worried sick about what could happen to them in the wrong hands. They have to surface somewhere and I need to get the word out so people can find them.”

Three male puppies and one female puppy were stolen in the raid.

Their mother is a mastiff mix and their father a cane corso.

Two of the puppies are black and white and two are brindle.

Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote crime reference number 14/33654/21.

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111.

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