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Thieves target North Yorkshire dog rehoming centre – one still missing

Staff at a North Yorkshire dog rehoming centre woke on Tusday (12 August) to find their stray kennels broken into and three dogs stolen.

During the early hours, thieves took Bella, Asher, and Wispa from Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming on Common Lane, South Milford.

Thankfully, Asher and Wispa have since been recovered. However, Bella, a black and white female lurcher, is still missing.

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CCTV of the thieves. Photograph: Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming
CCTV of the thieves. Photograph: Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming

The burglary happened between 12.15 am and 1 am on Tuesday 12 August, when two men were seen entering the site to take the three dogs from the Stray Kennels.

Asher escaped the thieves and was found injured, but safe, bedded in a nearby stables, while Wispa later returned to her kennels.

The Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming centre have said they’re “heartbroken” and “desperate” for Bella’s safe return.

Bella. Photograph: Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming

On a Facebook post, they shared:

“Please make her too hot to handle, our precious girl is out there somewhere and we are extremely worried about her. If anyone knows or has seen anything, no matter how irrelevant it may seem please let us know, we are begging.

“All our dogs are not only Woodhaven Second Chance dogs, they are our babies and we love them dearly, they really have stolen a family member of ours! Please help us bring our Bella home.”

North Yorkshire Police are investigating and appealing for information.

They’ve asked anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area during that time, or may know the current whereabouts of the missing dog, to get in touch.

A spokesperson said:

“We’d also like to speak to anyone with CCTV, doorbell footage, or dash-cam recordings from the area at the time.

“If you can help, please email Adam Shire or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12250150748.

“You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

Bella. Photograph: Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming