A dog lover has spoken of her relief that her stolen puppy escaped unharmed after being thrown out of a car window on the A12.

Springer spaniel Pippa was snatched by thieves from her kennel in Little Livermere on Sunday, February 10, after her owners had gone out to lunch.

A gamekeeper who works at Park Farm, where Pippa was stolen, had reported a suspicious car to police after repeatedly seeing it near the secluded farm, and police were able to track down the Vauxhall Astra after the dog was reported stolen.

In the chase that followed, eight-month-old Pippa was thrown from the car, landing on the road before rolling up some banking.

A 16-year-old boy was given a six-month referral unit by Chelmsford Youth Court on Friday last week, while another youth is awaiting trial for their role in the crime.

Owner Alex Denley said: “It’s a miracle really that she didn’t get hurt. She was always a quiet dog beforehand, so how they got her to go with them I don’t know. She wouldn’t have been the bravest.

“She’s fine with us now, and she’s a lot better with men now than she was. She’s a lovely dog, but she doesn’t go in the kennel anymore.”

Springer spaniels are a valuable breed, with Pippa valued at £600.

Mrs Denley, who owns two other dogs, said: “We don’t take her out to shows and things – she’s a family dog.

“It’s not as if we’re out showing her off, because we’ve got land here we don’t even go out for walks.”

The 16-year-old, from Wickford, pleaded guilty to theft and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The teenager has signed a behavioural contract to stop him reoffending, but he could be resentenced if he breaches this contract.