TWO hunting dogs famed for their trapping and coursing abilities have been stolen from a family’s garden.

Rachel Pickford, who lives in Chiseldon and owns three lurchers – a mix between a greyhound and a terrier – says two of her dogs, Jinx and Sketch, were stolen in a mid-day raid on her back garden’s high-security kennels on Monday.

She says she has received information as to where the dogs are, but that Swindon police had been hesitant to visit the site where the dog was reportedly being held.

The 38-year-old, whose husband uses the dogs for hunting, said: “Last week we saw a blue Mitsubishi driving down our street with someone pointing at the house.

“We usually keep the dogs outside because they are so large and they have their own fenced in area to run around in and a kennel to stay in at night.

“We took these measures because we had another lurcher stolen years ago.

“The home and kennel have alarm systems but it only works at night when they’re locked in.”

Rachel said she believed the thieves would have planned the raid because it was done between 7.30am and 3pm while she was metres away in the family home.

Rachel added: “They must have been very strong and experienced to do this, and most lurcher owners are aware that there is this sort of activity.

“In terms of the police’s lack of action, I know they are dogs, but my 11-year-old girl daughter Megan whose owns one of the dogs is heartbroken and can’t stop crying.

“I would have thought they could use the vital information I have been especially considering Avon and Somerset police said they would act once Swindon Police had got in touch.”

Swindon Police were unavailable for comment.