A heartbroken family watched in horror as their puppy was snatched by thieves as they took her for a walk.
Mother-of-three Caroline Culverwell was walking 14-week-old Mika before a pub lunch when the puppy bolted out of sight as they reached the car park.
Pub CCTV then appears to show a white pickup truck go into the car park – before two doors open and a man is seen grabbing the brown cocker spaniel.
A desperate social media appeal has since been shared tens of thousands of times as well-wishers across the country try to track down Mika, who went missing in rural Outwood, Surrey
Mika, a brown cocker spaniel, was snatched by thieves when she had been taken for a walk
Ms Culverwell, 46, said Mika was like a fourth child and her 11-year-old daughter Etalie is devastated.
A desperate social media appeal has since been shared tens of thousands of times as well-wishers across the country try to track down Mika, who went missing in rural Outwood, Surrey.
The family fear Mika, who has not been spayed, was taken by dog breeders because she is a pure-bred cocker spaniel.
Ms Culverwell, who was meeting her husband Marcus, said: ‘My family met at the car park of the Dog and Duck pub in Outwood on Sunday at 12.30pm.
‘We had a table booked at half one so we went for a walk in the surrounding fields and footpaths prior to that.
‘It’s very rural around there, Mika had been off the lead before and she comes back when she’s called.
‘It was a lovely walk, she had lots of fun and in the last field she realised we were returning to the car park.
‘She didn’t come when she was called and she scarpered off.’
11-year-old Etalie (pictured) has been left devastated by the theft of the puppy
She said they called for Mika to come back – but quickly realised the puppy was nowhere to be found.
Around a dozen pub-goers and staff then tried in vain to find Mika, searching until the evening.
Ms Culverwell, who also has a 19-year-old son and another daughter, aged 17, said: ‘By the end of the day we were shown the CCTV cameras by the staff at the pub and it appears it was an opportunistic crime.
‘A white pick-up turned into the car park, went around the back of our car, then two doors open, two people get out, pick something up and get back into the cab, reverse and drive straight out.’
Ms Culverwell said ‘we’re absolutely heartbroken, particularly my 11-year-old daughter’
Police have since confirmed they are investigating the theft after ‘witnesses suggested the puppy was picked up by two men and driven away in a white van.’
Describing Mika, the mother-of-three said: ‘She could not have been an easier or more delightful puppy. She’s the first dog we have had.
‘I’m absolutely astounded how attached I have become to her in such a short period of time, having never had a dog before.
‘It’s as if she was my child. She’s just been absolute delightful.
‘We’re absolutely heartbroken, particularly my 11-year-old daughter, who’s absolutely beside herself.
‘It’s so maddening that people can be so vile and selfish, just for what is a few bucks.’
‘I have been absolutely amazed at the response on Facebook and the number of people out there doing things.’