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Three men broke into a man's house with a gun and a baseball bat before reportedly beating him, stabbing his dog and stealing his puppy.

Police are investigating an alleged aggravated burglary in Splott, Cardiff, which left a man in need of hospital treatment.

A five-month-old American Bully puppy, worth around £1,500, was also stolen during the "violent" incident on Monday night.

Anton Boston, 25, was at his home in Habershon Street at around 11pm when the three men allegedly entered his house demanding money and jewellery.

(Image: Anton Boston)

Anton, who owns five American Bullies and competes in dog shows across the world, said: "There was three guys who knocked on my door in balaclavas.

"I opened the door because I thought it was one of my friends and they took my door off and one grabbed my face.

"They were hitting me in my head with a hammer.

"They were asking me where the money was.

"I managed to escape through the back door. I ran into [my neighbour's] house, they helped me, I would be dead otherwise."

(Image: Anton Boston)

(Image: Anton Boston)

Anton, who suffers from Crohn's Disease, said all three men were armed during the alleged attack.

He said: "One had a gun, one had a hammer and one had a shiny object.

"They just beat me for about 10 minutes. I went unconscious for a couple of minutes.

"My dogs were trying to defend me. I was just screaming 'ring the police' but they wouldn't let me get to the phone.

"I thought I was going to die. They smacked me in my face with a gun."

Anton said he returned to his home after police were called to find his dog J-Lo badly injured and his five-month-old puppy Princess missing.

(Image: Anton Boston)

Anton, who had returned from a dog show in Ireland the day of the incident, said: "I have five dogs, two are puppies, in my house so my other dogs were defending my home.

"They were attacking my dogs. There are puncture wounds in one and one had to go straight to the vets as she was on the floor.

"I was rushed to the hospital and she was rushed to the vets. She had to have a couple of injections and immediate pain relief and a couple of antibiotics.

"She still has gaping wounds.

"I had to go to hospital, I had a scan and an X-Ray and they glued my eye back together. Thankfully no bones are broken."

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Anton said: "I think that's why they took the puppy as they didn't find any money in the house.

"I'm just hoping she's still alive and I hope they haven't panicked as she's only a little puppy.

"They haven't got her paperwork, I have her passport."

Anton, who believes people often have misconceptions about American Bullies, added: "They are big, strong dogs but I have five in my house and they all get on. They are perfect family dogs.

"I am a family man, I look after my nieces every week.

"I can't go back to the house. I've been up shaking all night."

Police are investigating an aggravated burglary in Habershon Street, Splott, at around 11pm on Monday, January 27.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: "Police are investigating an aggravated burglary in Habershon Street, Splott, at around 11pm on Monday, January 27.

"An American bull dog and fake Rolex watch were stolen.

"This was a violent incident and the owner is naturally worried about his much-loved dogs.

"We would appeal for anyone with information to please come forward so we can safely reunite the five-month old pup with her owner, and those responsible can be arrested.

"Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the dog or who may be responsible is asked to please contact South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number *0032984."

The microchip for missing puppy Princess is 900182001980177.