FIVE men from Oxford have been arrested after a puppy worth £16,000 was stolen, police have said.

Surrey Police said yesterday that a rare lilac British Bulldog puppy was taken from the breeder’s home in Tadworth, Surrey, in October.

The force said that a man had visited the breeder after saying he wanted to buy the puppy. But after being given it to hold he ran out of the property, assaulting a relative of the dog breeder as he ran.

The whereabouts of the puppy remains unknown, but police said it may be in the Oxford area.

Two men aged 25 and three others aged 24, 26 and 27 were arrested on conspiracy to commit robbery.

They have been released on police bail until February 19 and 20.

Det Con Eloise Lock appealed for help in tracing the puppy, saying: “If you have noticed any unusual behaviour, or anybody you know in relation to any new pets they have, we need to hear from you.”

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