A DOG lover has been left heartbroken after thieves stole her French bulldog Winston from her home.
Ayla Williamson, 22, was devastated when she returned from a night out on Friday and came back to find her door wide open and her beloved nine-month-old dog gone.
Ayla, a sunbed shop worker, is convinced the thieves had been spying on her for weeks before snatching Winston on September 13.
She said: “The thieves left a gold watch and an iPad, but they just took Winston and nothing else.
“They must have been watching us…I take him out every morning and they must have known he was here alone and targeted the property to steal him.
“I’ve heard when this happens it is because dognapping groups have ordered the dog because they want that particular pet to breed from.
“We were worried he might be taken as there seems to be a lot of it in this area, we’ve heard about friends having theirs taken and someone tried to steal our friend’s dog in the park.
“French bulldogs aren’t cheap and are popular with celebrities.
“We are devastated, we are not sleeping. Every time there is a noise I go to the door because I think it might be him.”
DOG THEFT
French bulldogs have become increasingly popular fulled by snaps of the photogenic breed plastered online by celebs including Lady Gaga, David Beckham, Holly Willoughby and Millie Mackintosh.
In June another family had their French bulldog puppy stolen during a burglary in Gloucester.
And in January thieves stole 11 French bulldogs from a house in Barry, in Wales.
Ayla believes her flat, located above a shop, was broken into between 9pm on Friday and 1am on Saturday.
She has reported the incident to police.
most read in news
She said: “I went out for Friday night and when I came back at 1am the door was wide open, the lock was broken and there was plaster all over the floor.
“Winston was a really good dog, he helped me through depression.
“We paid £2,500 for him – he is microchipped but we haven’t heard anything.
“There will be a reward for anyone who knows anything, we would be so grateful, someone must know something.
“My partner Dan has just been so upset by this too.”
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We can confirm the burglary of a French bulldog stolen from a flat was reported to GMP. Officers are investigating.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
