Heartless thieves smashed into a van to steal a child's beloved Chihuahua puppy, attacking a bigger dog thought to have been protecting the tiny pet.

The devastated family, including three children, pleaded for the return of one-year-old Pixie after she was taken from the car park of Tesco in Purley this afternoon.

The theft happened while owner Matt Buckle, 29, of Sylvan Close, Selsdon, shopped in the supermarket at about 1.30pm. 

The mobile mechanic returned to find the window of his silver Toyota Hiace broken, his seven-year-old boxer dog Duke wounded and the Chihuahua pup missing. 

Mr Buckle and wife Nicola, 34, have promised heartbroken children Freddie, two, Isabella, five, and Joshua, 12, they will do all they can to find Pixie, who they bought in January last year.

Your Local Guardian:

Little and large: Duke may have been trying to protect Pixie 

Mrs Buckle said: "It is devastating for them. It is like losing a member of the family. We got her for Isabella, as well as the whole family, and she thinks Daddy is going to get Pixie back. She doesn't fully understand, she is just hoping.

"Police say they normally take puppies and she is so small that you would think she was just a few months old. She is so diddy. 

"She sleeps in bed at night, she is so little. She just likes to be snuggled and I can't bear the thought of the her not being here tonight."

Mrs Buckle said Duke had been "completely traumatised" by the attack and theft of his canine companion, in which thieves wrenched open the side of the van before smashing a glass divide inside to get to the dogs.

She believes the boxer may have been trying to protect Pixie.

She said: "I am assuming he has been punched or something. His eyes were all cut, so he has clearly been hit.

"Duke is completely traumatised since the attack and is clearly wanting Pixie home. He is always very protective of her so I'm assuming he might have bitten whoever took her or something."

Pixie has been spayed, so could not be used for breeding, and is micro-chipped.

The family are offering a reward for information leading to her return.

Police are investigating the theft, as well as another stolen chihuahua in New Addington last week. 

Anyone with information can contact police on 101. 

Your Local Guardian:

Duke was found with a wounded eye