A family has been left heartbroken after their puppy was stolen from their garden near a busy Oxford road.

Roxy, a five-month-old bulldog/Staffordshire terrier cross, was seen being whisked away in a van in the Abingdon Road, near the Fox and Hounds pub, last Wednesday.

Owners Louise Martin and Paul Anderson only bought the dog four weeks ago, but said she had already made a big impression on them and their six children.

Miss Martin, 38, said: "We are beside ourselves, we don't know what to do.

"It's not just a dog, she's a part of our family. We're devoted to her.

"She is a very attractive dog - we don't know if someone has spotted her and thought they could make a quick £50."

Mr Anderson, 26, said he let the dog out into the garden in the morning, but when he went to get her, she could not be seen.

He said: "I ran out of the gate and asked somebody at a bus stop if they had seen anything. They said they saw a man get out of a white van with orange back windows and force the gate, take her and drive off."

Mr Anderson and Miss Martin hope someone may have seen the incident on the busy commuter route.

Mr Anderson said: "Three different people, including a bus driver, told us they saw the van with the orange back windows.

"There are CCTV cameras on a pole outside our house so we hope the council might be able to see if they captured anything."

Roxy is described as having a white chest and white paws. She was not wearing a collar but has been micro- chipped.

Police spokesman Toby Shergold said they were investigating the incident, and would be examining CCTV footage and circulating a description to Neighbourhood Watches.

Police can be called on 08458 505505.