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Thieves were caught on CCTV snatching a sick child’s terrified pug puppy.

The hooded crooks were filmed chasing the seven-month-old pup around a car before grabbing the cowering pet and sprinting off.

Police are now appealing for help to track the two dog snatchers down.

The theft of Peaches has left Ellis Barrett, aged six, who has battled illness, “heartbroken.”

(Image: Ross Parry)

The pet had been a reward for Ellis’s bravery - after enduring four years in and out of hospital since he suffered horrendous burns as a baby.

The little boy needed surgery when he contracted septicaemia after he was accidentally scalded with hot water.

His mum, a care worker for the elderly, had worked extra shifts to buy the pet for her son in February after he left hospital.

Peaches has since become the little boy’s “best friend” - with the pair even sharing a bath together.

Ellis had been asking for the puppy since before Christmas.

But the valuable £1,000 pet was stolen from the family home in Batley, West Yorks, between around 1.20pm and 1.30pm on Sunday after she had been let out into the front garden.

(Image: Ross Parry)

Footage from a neighbour’s CCTV camera captured the men walking into the garden.

They were then filmed chasing Peaches as she ran from the garden and around a parked car before scooping her into their arms and making a getaway.

Lucy, 29, said today: “Ellis and Peaches are like best friends. He has her in the bath with him and everything.

“He’s devastated she’s gone and all we want is to find her.

“Ellis had been asking for a pug for months but when I saw how expensive they were I couldn’t believe it.

“I started taking extra shifts at work and was working day and night to save up to buy him one.

“I worked as much as I could to get her and when Ellis came out of hospital on February 6th this year I could finally give him his pug.

“I was heartbroken when I found out."

(Image: Ross Parry)

Lucy has started a Facebook page in the hope someone will recognise the stolen animal.

The 'Help my son find his pug Peaches' page is filled with photographs of the Ellis with puppy and details of how to get in touch with information.

PC Nick O’Meila, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Peaches is much missed by her owners and I would ask anyone who has information about her to contact us at the Batley and Spen NPT on 101. Information can also be given anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.”