A dog owner has made an impassioned plea for her dogs to be returned after they were stolen this morning.

East Anglian Daily Times: Janet Lockwood's dog Chi, which was in her van when it was stolen this morning.Janet Lockwood's dog Chi, which was in her van when it was stolen this morning. (Image: Archant)

Janet Lockwood works at Leiston Veterinary Clinic on the Eastlands Industrial Estate and had pulled up outside its building in her van this morning.

But when she was out of the vehicle a man ran over to the van, jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off.

In the back of the Ford Transit were two of Mrs Lockwood’s pet dogs.

One is a blue tri border collie called Chi and the other a sable collie-cross called Zeus.

A distraught Mrs Lockwood said: “There was nothing I could do. He just drove off so quickly.

“I’m very upset. I think it’s just the van he wanted but I just want my dogs back.

“I don’t think he knew there were dogs in the back but I think he’ll just let them go somewhere.

“I’m very concerned for their safety. Zeus is a rescue dog and he’s going to be scared witless.”

And pleading with the thief for her dog’s safe return, Mrs Lockwood said: “My dogs are everything to me. I just want them back. Just put them somewhere safe, don’t let them go loose.”

Mrs Lockwood’s dogs were found later the same day – full story here.