VIDEO: Police appeal after stolen puppies found dumped in a box in Sheffield

Some of the puppies which were taken (Hannah Denniff)

The nine-week-old border collies were discovered in a wooded area just off Raeburn Road, in Gleadless Valley, on Monday night.

They were among seven puppies from the same litter which were snatched from a farm a few miles away in Holmesfield, Derbyshire, on Friday night. The remaining two dogs are still missing.

PC Andy Shaw, a rural crime officer from the Derbyshire Constabulary, said: "The found puppies are now back with their owner and making a good recovery, although the indications are that they would have not survived the night if they had not been found.

"Two of the stolen puppies are still missing and we would ask if anyone has been offered a border collie pup for sale in this part of Derbyshire or South Yorkshire to make contact with us.

"We would also ask that if anyone saw anything suspicious in the area and on the night of the theft that tell us about it."

The dogs' owner Hannah Denniff told yesterday how the puppies had been found taped in a plastic box, but were now back home and were 'healthy but very stinky'.

The puppies' relieved owner shared this photo of the five which had been found and are now back home (Hannah Denniff)

Animal lovers have taken to Facebook to express their shock at the theft, and their hopes that the last two puppies are found safe.

Matt Smith wrote: "Hannah’s dad and I did a search of the area. However, we could not see them and it’s more likely the missing two puppies have either been sold already or the thieves couldn’t fit them in the box and kept the other two. The mission continues to find the missing puppies."

Christine Stone posted: "Hope you can find the last two. Glad you got five back. It's disgusting what people do to animals."

And Zoe Gray commented: "How anyone can dump any animal is beyond me. I hope the other two are found. It's horrible to say but I hope other animals haven't got to them. There are loads of foxes on that field."

Anyone with information is asked to call Andy on 101 or contact him via the force's website, quoting reference number 17000443155.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.