A FAMILY were left devastated after thieves stole two Labrador puppies and a cat from their Gwent home as they slept.

Dawn Pritchard said she had not stopped crying since realising the pets had been taken on Sunday morning.

The family, from Wattsville, have offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the thieves.

The two-year-old Persian Chinchilla cat, named Snowy, is worth £300 while the two seven-week-old golden Labrador puppies, who have not yet been named, are valued at £500 each.

Ms Pritchard said her five-year-old daughter, Emily Edwards, was "extremely upset" by the disappearance of the much-loved pets.

The family were shocked to find the puppies were taken from a locked pen inside a shed in the courtyard of their home in Islwyn Road.

They believe Snowy was taken from the garden.

The two dogs were from a pedigree litter of seven.

Ms Pritchard, 47, said: "I don't know who would want to do something like this. It is a despicable act and whoever did this must be caught."

She believes the dog thieves must have known the expensive pets were being kept in the outside pen.

Police are looking into the incident. Anyone with any information should contact Risca police station on 01633 612391.