ARMED robbers burst into a family home and stole their beloved puppy in a violent attack.

Mother-of-three Clare Bailey, 45, described the terror her family faced after three masked men kicked in the front door to their home in Trefoil Place, Greater Leys, Oxford, at about 8pm on Sunday.

The gang demanded cash and threatened the family with a six inch knife and CS spray before punching her youngest son, Perry Hornblow, 19, in the face.

They grabbed a few notes and coins, picked up 13-week old puppy Boss, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, and fled.

A 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary has been released on bail and police are appealing for information.

Miss Bailey said: “I was upstairs and I heard the front door kicked open.

“Three men ran in with scarves over their faces. One had a knife the other had a CS can and threatened to spray it in my son’s face.

“They shouted: ‘We want the money’. I just said: ‘What money?’. We didn’t have any money in the house.”

Miss Bailey added: “It seemed like a lifetime but lasted just a matter of minutes.”

The family are appealing for the safe return of the dog, which Miss Bailey bought for £200 five weeks ago.