By Meg Jorsh

Last updated at 13:19, Wednesday, 06 August 2008

A Carlisle woman was distraught when she woke up to find her pet rabbit and guinea pig stolen.

Sweep the rabbit

Ann-Marie Maskall, 27, was heartbroken to find the pets missing yesterday from her garden in Bracken Close, St Ann’s.

The grey, dwarf lop-eared rabbit and black and white guinea pig had been taken together with their cage and run.

She said: “They’ve obviously been taken for pets, because they’ve taken everything.

“I just want someone to bring them back. I don’t even care if it’s in the middle of the night again.”

The six-month-old rabbit and baby guinea pig could not be seen from outside the garden, leading her to suspect a planned attack. Left behind were two adult rabbits in their cage, along with toys and the door to the run.

The nursery manager had just returned from holiday with her partner in Plymouth. She left the pets with a rabbit-sitter, who warned her they could be desirable to thieves.

“He’s a really cute little rabbit called Sweep,” she said. “I got him from a refuge in April. The guinea pig, Scamp, was a present from my mum.”

Thieves had entered through the garden gate, locking it behind them when they left. The value of the stolen goods is believed to be around £200.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which is under investigation. Anyone with information can call them on 0845 3300247.

First published at 11:48, Wednesday, 06 August 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk