The family of a beloved springer spaniel say they are "devastated" and "heartbroken" after their gifted pet was stolen.

Staff at Uggeshall Kennels in London Road, Brampton, near Beccles, noticed that their four-year-old springer spaniel, Puffin, had gone missing at about 2pm on Sunday September 22.

Tabitha Millard says she misses Puffin dearlyTabitha Millard says she misses Puffin dearly (Image: Anne-Marie Millard)

Unlike some of the other spaniels at Uggeshall Kennels, Puffin is a family dog that has been with the owner, Anne-Marie Millard and her daughter Tabitha, since she was eight weeks old.

Puffin has special traits which make her and her offspring well sought after for rescue operations.

Three of her puppies, Scout, Seeka and Kaimi, are being sent off on a UN Search and Rescue mission to save lives in conflict zones on Sunday, but they are now unable to say goodbye to their mother.

Kaimi will also leave on Sunday without seeing her motherKaimi, one of Puffin's litter, will be leaving on a UN Search and Rescue mission on Sunday to learn to save lives in conflict zones (Image: Anne-Marie Millard)

In the days following Puffin's disappearance police launched an investigation and a search and rescue mission with drones was launched.

A £3,000 reward was also raised by the Uggeshall Kennels community.  However, Puffin remains missing.

Mrs Millard, who has run the kennel for over 10 years, said: "This has left a huge, great hole in our life. My daughters are just so devastated and they are crying themselves to sleep. As a mother, it's awful to see your children like that and there's nothing you can do. It's truly heartbreaking.

The reward to return Puffin has reached over £3000The reward to return Puffin has reached over £3,000 (Image: Anne-Marie Millard) READ MORE: Animal rescue centre to close down after more than 30 years

"It makes me so angry that someone could just pick a dog up and take it away from its owners like this. She's going to be petrified and if she's somewhere that's built up with cars and noise, that's just not the world she knows.

"I mean, they just don't know how gifted she is! They just thought it was a nice dog and picked it up, and they don't care! She has so much to give. I mean, now her puppies are going off to save people's lives abroad in war zones and they won't even get to say goodbye to their mother."

Some more of Puffin's puppiesPuffin's puppies are awaiting her return (Image: Anne-Marie Millard) Anyone with information on Puffin should contact police quoting crime reference: 54202/24.