A dog-lover is distraught after her puppy was snatched from her garden - four years after her four other dogs were taken.

Daisy, a five-month-old border terrier, was taken last Wednesday as she played in a garden surrounded by a 7ft fence and spiky bushes.

It took owner Sheila Veazy four years before she felt able to get another border terrier after having four taken from the same garden in two 2001 raids.

She had owned Daisy just eight weeks.

The pedigrees are worth hundreds of pounds each and it believed they are being captured and sold for a quick cash sale.

Ms Veazy, 60, of Hangleton Manor Close, Brighton, said: "I am absolutely devastated.

"I just can't believe this is happening again.

"They must be keeping an eye on me to see what I've got."

Daisy, who is a dark red colour with a black patch on her back, has kennel cough and a hernia, which requires a special diet. She is also due to be operated on next month.

Ms Veazy, who has kept dogs all her life, said: "I am desperately worried about her.

"She needs treatment and if someone doesn't know about her conditions the poor little thing could get extremely ill."

The thieves broke a section of fence dividing Ms Veazy's garden from Greenleas recreation ground.

Ms Veazy said: "It is 7ft high and I planted thorny bushes with long spikes after my other dogs were stolen but they didn't take a blind bit of notice.

"They must have enticed Daisy over, then grabbed her.

"It would have to be a two-man job as you couldn't climb over the fence holding a wriggling puppy."

Pedigree pets are big business and thefts are becoming increasingly common in Sussex.

Last week The Argus reported three pedigree cats had disappeared from three neighbouring streets in Shoreham within weeks of each other.

In May, Argus vet Marc Abrahams warned Sussex was becoming the stolen pet capital of the UK and owners must be vigilant and make sure their animals are microchipped.

If anyone has any information on Daisy, who is microchipped, they can contact Ms Veazy on 07801 563180.

She said: "I just want her back."

Information on the puppy can also be given to pet-finding organisation DogLost.

The following help for people whose pets have disappeared is available:

Mr Abrahams' web site, www.petsbrighton.com, will log lost and found pets.

DogLost creates posters for missing dogs and sends them to organisations, vets and volunteers within 30 miles - www.doglost.co.uk , 01909 733366.

Pet detective June Bailey, 01903 772176, logs lost and found pets and advises owners.

Lost Cats Brighton, run by Ron Ayres, has a comprehensive database of lost and found cats in the city - 01273 422721, www.lostcatsbrighton.org.uk