A pet owner is distraught after two of her dogs were stolen within weeks of each other.

Janet Virgo, of Tarring Neville Road, Tarring Neville, near Newhaven, believes her house has been watched by opportunistic thieves over the past few weeks.

The latest theft came on Friday as Miss Virgo, 45, went to bury her mother's ashes.

The crooks stole Gypsy, a black and white lurcher who had been playing in a dog run in the back garden.

Miss Virgo believes the thieves had been hiding in garden bushes, waiting for the right moment.

On November 26 she had popped out in the afternoon to feed her horses, a two-minute drive away.

She returned to find a titanium bolt on her kennels had been cut, two chickens were dead and there was no sign of her red rough-coat lurcher, Amber, aged three.

Miss Virgo said: "They know I am home on my own and I couldn't do much against them. It's really scary."

Miss Virgo and her partner, Tony Jeffrey, believe the animals may have been stolen to order.

Another dog-owner missing her pet is twelve-year-old Lacie Freeman, of Warburton Close, Brighton.

Her dog Gizmo, a black and tan shih-tzu, bolted from the house on Thursday and never returned.

Lacie's mum Karen Freeman said she believed he too may have been stolen.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said it was impossible to confirm whether dogs were being stolen to order or if there was a particular problem with Sussex.

Anyone with any information about any of the missing dogs should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.