Seven bulldog puppies have been reunited with their heartbroken owners today after being snatched during a house burglary last night in Wigan.
Tammy McKenna and her partner Paul were asleep when intruders entered their home in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 2nd February), and only after being awoken by a knock on the door from police shortly after 2.30am, they realised the litter of seven-week-old puppies were gone.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were investigating the theft, and appealed to the public for information.
The missing dogs were among nine puppies the couple kept at their home on Shelley Street, in Leigh, and Ms McKenna said she believed that those responsible were “professionals”.
“We didn’t hear anything at all,” Ms McKenna said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The police were responding to a report of a break-in around the corner and noticed the double doors to our extension were wide open. They knocked on our door and asked if we had anything of value and we said the puppies were in there.”
She continued: “We didn’t hear any barking,”
ADVERTISEMENT
“They knew what they were doing and have definitely just come for the dogs. They have broken the lock handle of the door to get in.”
Desperate for answers, Ms McKenna took to social media this morning to appeal for information and ask that anyone who knows anything regarding the whereabouts of the missing puppies gets in touch.
The couple were also offering a £1,000 reward upon being reunited with their beloved pets.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ms McKenna said: “We just want them to bring them back.
“They are not worth anything without papers. We didn’t breed them to make any money, we were [just] keeping them within the family.
“They are loved dogs.”
And thankfully, their hopes for a quick return came true, as Ms McKenna confirmed this afternoon, in a now-viral Facebook post, that the puppies were found safe and sound, and were returned to them by Merseyside Police, with a little help from “the amazing power of good people and social media”.
“They are now safe and going into protection,” she added.
ADVERTISEMENT
The brilliant news has seen the couple since receive comments of support and messages of relief from people all across the country, as well throughout the local community.
How brilliant is this?
News
Met Office gives verdict on how Storm Boelo aftermath will affect Greater Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Storm Boelo is finally on his way out, and now the Met Office has given its verdict on what we can expect from the rest of the week.
In the aftermath of two successive storms, Storm Austen followed by Storm Boelo – the latter of which affected Greater Manchester – the UK is now able to begin recovering from the effects of the adverse weather.
But the Met Office has warned that, although there is no named storm, strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect parts of the UK early this week, before high pressure brings calmer conditions.
Yellow national severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland and western areas of the UK today (Tuesday 27 October), including areas of the North West, as gales and spells of rain bring the potential for ongoing disruption around the region, particularly on exposed coasts and higher ground.
“The continued winds could hamper recovery efforts in some places,” forecasters also unfortunately confirmed.
⚠️ Strong winds and heavy rain continue across parts of the UK early this week with a yellow weather warning in place, before high pressure brings calmer conditions for many from Wednesday ⛅
Read our news release to find out more 👇
https://t.co/EQU4vvaA3B https://t.co/hpvTd8v7EZ
As rest of the week pans out though, conditions will begin to settle down and showers are expected to become ‘less frequent’, while winds also ease for most, although gales could continue for a time in the far north.
Thursday is expected be ‘largely dry’ with lighter winds and variable cloud, with a touch of mist and fog likely across parts of England and Wales during the morning.
From Friday and into the weekend, light rain will team up to potentially affect northwestern areas of England, but for the most part, temperatures are expected to remain close to, or slightly above, average for the time of year.
“From Wednesday, high pressure will start to build which will ease the winds and bring a quieter and largely drier end to the week for many, although some rain is still possible in the North and West,” explained Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steven Keates.
“However, with wind warnings in place, those in warnings areas, particularly in northern Scotland and western high ground, continue to be exposed to strong winds and heavy rain before the more settled weather arrives.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2021 
