A YOUNG Cumbrian boy is distraught after his Patterdale Terrier pup was stolen from its kennel in the middle of the night.

Andrew Taylor, 12, from Farleton, woke up on Thursday (December 18) morning to find that his 16-week-old pup, Ted, had been snatched from the kennel on Wednesday night.

Andrew is home schooled and his mother, Helen says Ted was his best friend.

“Andrew’s always wanted a little black pup so we said he could save up for one and that’s what he did,” he said. “He saved all his money to buy it.

“It’s been a sleepless night. We spent yesterday scouring the area and Andrew cried most of the night. It really has put him right out of sorts. He said he doesn’t want anything for Christmas, he just wants his dog back. We do have quite a few other pets but not like Ted because that’s his dog.

Mrs Taylor says they didn’t hear a thing on Wednesday night and they have no idea who might have taken the dog.

“I wish we knew who had taken him but we’ve just no idea at all,” she said. “But it’s got to be someone who knows about it because of where we live. We are uphill outside the village.

“The kennel had a belt and clip on it so they have obviously just opened it up and taken the pup out. They must have known it was there because we live in quite a remote area.”

Ted the pup is black with a curly, rough coat, white guidelines on his back and slightly bald patches around his eyes. Mrs Taylor says he also has a distinctive high-pitched bark, like a scream.