Couple sleep through dog theft

Ben Epplett and Anya-Lee McLaren. Photo / Janelle Kirkland

A Hastings couple who slept through a burglary wondered why their two english bulldogs didn't bark, then discovered the dogs had been stolen too.

Ben Epplett and Anya-Lee McLaren stopped fretting about their lost television, stereo and PS3 when they discovered their dogs missing after an overnight burglary two weeks ago, Hawke's Bay Today reported.

The dogs had been placated with food.

Miss McLaren said losing the pair was a big blow after spending so much time and money fulfilling their dream of dog ownership.

The couple bought an english bulldog online earlier this year but discovered the sale was an elaborate scam.

They eventually bought one-year-old Skye and three-month-old Draco.

Miss McLaren said her partner had been hit the hardest.

"I cried ... but he's really upset. They were his best friends. He's trying to do what he can to get them back," she said.

"We don't want our stuff back, we just want our dogs more than anything."

- NZPA