A DISTRAUGHT family are appealing for help from the community after their beloved pet dogs were stolen from their home at Christmas.

Miniature Pinschers, Enzo and Minx, were swiped from a house in Woodford Green at around 4pm on Boxing Day while their owners enjoyed a festive meal with their relatives nearby.

The family suspect the thieves had been lying in wait, watching for the moment when the house was left unguarded.

Jennie Ingrey, stepmother of 14-year-old Maddison and 23-year-old Danielle who own the dogs, said: “The girls are absolutely distraught. The dogs are like their little babies to them.

“It’s a real mystery, the thieves didn’t take anything else. They broke in through the back door and there was a laptop and a few Christmas presents around but they ignored them and went straight for the dogs. They must have been targeted."

She added: “The house must have been watched - it’s just scary to think about, but it does seem to be getting more common especially in places like Wanstead.”

The dogs, which sell for around £650 each, are quite rare in the UK, but have been growing in popularity due to their tiny size.

The family have been putting up flyers across Woodford Green in the hope that someone may have seen them.

Ms Ingrey added: “The response we’ve had from the community has been great, lots of people have phoned up saying they’ll look out for them but we haven’t found them yet.”

Debbie Ebbs, one of the girls’ cousins, said: “It’s just so callous of them to take the dogs, especially at Christmas.

“Everyone in the family loves them, they’ve been brought up and cared for by the family since they were little.

“It’s a sad story but we are hopeful it will have a happy ending.”

Enzo is a two-year-old male, and was last seen wearing a chain, while Minx is a one-year-old female with a pink collar.

Both are black and tan in colour.

The pair both have a tattoo in their right ears, but only Enzo has a microchip.

Minx also needs daily medication.

A reward has been offered for the return of the dogs.

The family has not disclosed the street where the theft occured due to fears that the thieves could strike again.

If you think you have seen them, contact the DogLost group in confidence on 0844 800 3220 quoting reference number 16380.