‘There’s still hope’

Marc Rose and Jade Earley have renewed appeals for the callous thieves to return dachshund Richie, who was taken in March.

The couple, from Tudor Close, Carleton, say they still receive message of support on a Facebook page dedicated to finding him, although there have yet to be any positive sightings.

Jade, 25, said: “There’s been nothing at all.

“We haven’t heard anything at all and nobody’s been charged over what happened, so it looks like the people involved have got away with it.”

Plumber Marc, 27, came home from work on March 17 to find two laptops, other electrical items and a gold watch had been stolen.

Bedrooms and stairs were also daubed with spray-paint.

He immediately searched for pedigree dachsund Richie, who was bought as a Christmas present for Jade and was four-months old at the time of the burglary, but he was nowhere to be found.

Police suspect the raiders stole the dog - who cost £900 - from the conservatory, where he was kept during the day before escaping.

Richie would have been unable to get out of the conservatory without someone opening the door.

The front door was also closed when Mr Rose came home meaning Richie could not have escaped of his own accord.

A Facebook campaign with more than 7,000 members still continues to raise awareness about the missing puppy.

Jade, a beauty manager at Tesco on Clifton Road, Mereside, added: “It’s still very difficult every day.

“It’ll be his first birthday in November so that’s going to be difficult.

“Hopefully we’ll find him one day.

“He’s microchipped so anything’s possible and we still get messaged about him every day.

“People are still looking and sending us heartfelt messages.”