Pups start work with UN forces after mum vanishes

Three puppies have left Britain to prepare for a new life as search and rescue dogs weeks after their mother vanished, a kennels owner has said.

Owner Anne-Marie Millard, 57, who runs a kennels in Uggeshall, Suffolk, said two male English Springer Spaniels and one female would be training to work with United Nations (UN) forces.

Miss Millward said the excitement over males Scout and Seeka, and female Kaimi, had been blighted by the disappearance of their mother, Puffin.

She said she thought four-year-old Puffin, who went missing on 22 September, had been stolen and urged anyone with information to get in touch.

Miss Millard said she had been contacted by an organisation that supplied dogs to the UN some weeks ago.

She said the three puppies, now around 16 weeks old, had been selected and prepared.

"They thought some of our puppies might be suitable," said Miss Millward, who runs Uggeshall Kennels and breeds dogs.

"Three were selected, and we started preparing them.

"All three have now left us and gone abroad."

Miss Millard said she could not say where the puppies would be working.

She said Puffin, who is four and black and white, vanished while playing outside when the puppies were about 12 weeks old.

Miss Millard said Puffin belonged to her 21-year-old daughter Tabitha.

Puffin had disappeared around the time a van had delivered a parcel and police had been informed, Miss Millward said.

"I'm sure Puffin was stolen," said Miss Millard.

"We noticed she was gone about 15 minutes after we saw her.

"We searched using drones but there was no sign.

"People steal dogs to sell on as pets."

She said detail about Puffin's disappearance had been posted online.