Litter of puppies stolen during armed raid in Castlemilk Published duration 21 August 2019

image copyright Shelby Hodge

A litter of three-week-old puppies has been stolen during an armed robbery on a house in Glasgow.

Four men brandishing bladed weapons forced their way into the house in the Castlemilk area before stealing eight Bulldog cross puppies.

The incident took place at about 01:30 at a house on Barlia Drive. Five people, including children aged two, 10 and 17, were in the house at the time.

A 19-year-old man has been charged in relation to the incident.

Police Scotland said the four suspects arrived in Barlia Drive in two cars - a silver coloured VW Polo and a silver coloured Audi.

'Deeply traumatised'

The force said they "smashed up" the house and vandalised a Mercedes car parked outside the property.

Det Insp Lynsey Watters said: "A family has been targeted within their home while sleeping and a 10-year-old girl is deeply traumatised by what has happened.

"The motive for this attack is unknown. However, we do believe that it was targeted.

"I am appealing to members of the local community to contact us with any information they may have and to listen out for anything they might hear regarding this crime."

image copyright Shelby Hodge image caption It is thought the puppies can sell for up to £1000 each and the owner has offered a reward for any information which leads to them being reunited with them

A 29-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were also in the property at the time of the robbery.

A VW Polo has been seized by police for forensic examinations.