THE hunt is on for the last remaining puppy of nine that was stolen from a house in Rodbourne last Monday.

Animal-lover Albert Romaine was left devastated when left his Percy Street home to go into town between 8.30am and 10.30am on Monday morning and returned to find the nine Staffordshire Bull Terrier/ Collie crossbreed puppies had been taken.

The 55-year-old said: “They were there when I went out but they were gone when I got back.

“I was in bits. I searched all over the house for them and I was shaking.”

Two of the smallest pups were returned home on Tuesday evening, and a third was found in West Swindon on Wednesday.

On Thursday a fourth puppy was found and on Friday three more – two of which were thought to have been spotted in the woods by members of the public – were reunited with their mother, five-year-old Lexi.

On Saturdaypuppy number eight was recovered, leaving just one more to be found.

Albert said: “I just cried when I heard that more of them had been found.

“I was even happier than I was when I had the first two back.

“It’s been so quiet without them. Now they are back it’s lovely to hear them playing.

“I am so happy they are all coming back.”

Albert remains concerned about the welfare of the final pup, since at only five weeks old it is still not fully weaned and may die without its mother.

Albert said: “I know the police will find the other five. Even if they have moved outside Swindon I know they will track them down.

“The police have been very, very, very good. If it hadn’t been for them i wouldn’t have got any of them back.

“I was really worried that they may have been sold and I wouldn’t have got any of them back.”

Police are continuing to search properties in Swindon to find the last puppy thanks to the support of the local community who have continued to raise awareness of the theft.

Detective Constable Mark Harris said: “It is great news that we have recovered puppy number eight now, and we will continue working to find puppy number nine.

“I’m impressed so many have been recovered so quickly, and that’s down to the support of the public and the local media for raising awareness of the burglary.

“I would urge anyone with any information to contact us immediately to help us find the final puppy and reunite it with its owner."

On Friday Wiltshire Police charged a 26 year old man with burglary in relation to the theft, and released another man on police bail pending further enquires.

It is thought that the person or people who stole the pups got into Albert’s home by using the spare key, which they may have stolen at an earlier time.

Albert has now had all the locks changed, and bolt locks installed on his front and his back door.

The missing pup has a mixture of black and white colourings.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Swindon Priority Crime Team, Wiltshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800555111.