THERE was no ruff justice when a gang of thieves broke into a garden centre and made off with the guard dog.

German shepherd Troy was on duty at Redbridge Garden Centre, Roding Lane North, Woodford Bridge, when burglars forced the locks at 12.30am this morning.

The two-year-old pup was carried off into the night along with £3,000 worth of spray washers and power tools, and now his distraught owners are appealing for his safe return.

Centre manager Bruce Freeman, 52, said: “He was like a pet to us and my wife is devastated as she is so fond of that dog. We just want him back.

“We got him from the police as he was too big to be one of their dogs as they have to be a certain weight to be picked up.

“He was so laid back, really affectionate and just like one of the family.

“We actually had a episode of Wife Swap filmed here recently which is going to be broadcast in a couple of weeks and Troy was star of the show.”

But Troy's disappearance has not just been traumatic for the humans involved.

Eight-year-old Vince was on duty alongside his fellow canine chum and has taken his comrade going MIA rather to heart.

Centre worker Clare Graham, 37, said: “Vince is really down in the dumps just now and just lies there not doing anything. I think he misses his pal.”

Mr Freeman, of Ongar, is offering a £1,000 reward for the safe return of Troy.

The dad-of-two said: “We got broken into exactly the same way about six months ago and is just one of those things.

“But the police said they won't even come out for commercial burglaries any more.

“No insurance company will touch a garden centre so we just have to take it on the chin. But all we really care about is getting Troy back.”

If you have any information contact Mr Freeman on 07910 424 641 or Ilford Police on 8345 2635.