Dogs stolen from rescue kennels during break-in

Thieves have stolen three stray dogs from a North Yorkshire rescue centre in an overnight raid.

CCTV footage showed two people climbing over the fence at Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming, in South Milford, in the early hours of Tuesday before breaking into the kennels.

One of the dogs was later returned to her kennel by the suspects while a second was found in a nearby stables the following day.

However a third dog, Bella, a black and white lurcher, remains missing, prompting Woodhaven's manager, Lucy Hoxberry, to issue an appeal for her safe return.

"We're just so worried about Bella," she said.

"We just want her home safe, that's all we want.

"She's like one of our pets and she can get really nervous as well, so she's not going to be coping."

Bella, a black and white lurcher, is still missing

Bella was brought to the centre in 2023 as a stray, but no owner ever came forward.

"She's really sweet, she's really lovable and she loves playing with other dogs," Ms Hoxberry added.

"But she is stressy, so she was actually in those kennels purely to keep her nice and calm because she can get overwhelmed when there's lots going on.

"It's heart-breaking that we've put her there to help her and she's been taken."

The break-in happened between 00:15 and 00:45 BST on Tuesday, following the centre's first open day at the weekend.

Lucy Hoxberry, who manages Woodhaven, has appealed for Bella's safe return

North Yorkshire Police confirmed they were investigating the burglary and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Ms Hoxberry said she did not know why the dogs were targeted, but believed it could be because of their breeds.

"They could be wanting them for working dogs or possibly breeding," she said.

"Bella's been spayed, because we always spay and neuter our dogs, so if they've taken her for that then she's no use to them anyway."

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