A SHEEP breeder has been left devastated after thieves broke into her property and stole her friend’s beloved family pet sheep.

Valerie Howells, who lives in Rayleigh, was looking after the underdeveloped sheep, Flop, when he was cruelly snatched by a pair of thieves overnight on Saturday.

The duo, who were caught on CCTV, were filmed chasing sheep and cornering Flop in a corner before stealing her.

Mrs Howells, who works as a dog warden in Southend, said she believed that Flop could have been taken to sell as cheap meat, having no breeding value as a castrated animal.

She said: “I got up on Saturday morning and went to check on the lambs at about 8.30am because they are bottle fed.

“I went into the shelter and one of the hurdles I used as a gate was on the floor, the animals were a bit jumpy and spooked.

“I noticed Flop was gone, he’s a bit of a one for getting into places he shouldn’t and getting stuck.

“I looked and there was no sign at all, my gut feeling was someone had been in here.”

Mrs Howells then checked the CCTV footage, which showed the two thieves, wearing scarves and hats to cover their faces.

Mrs Howells said that she believed the pair were after animals that could be killed for meat because they ignored small lambs which were only two weeks old.

After chasing other sheep for 15 minutes and being pulled into the gravel by protective ewes, the men eventually cornered Flop, grabbed him and climbed over the fence.

Mrs Howells, who has nine breeding ewes, said: “My friends who own him are devastated, he stays with me for the winter because their land is wet in winter. He was due to go back next week.

“He could be dead, he could be taken for meat. He is not a show lamb, he is much smaller than he should be and a funny little thing.

“He is no good for breeding because he has been castrated and has no other value than as a family pet.” Mrs Howells has now invested in more security and has urged anyone with information to come forward.

Flop was wearing a winter coat when he was stolen at 3.10am on Saturday.

He is described as silver coloured and has been ear tagged.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are looking into the theft of livestock from Rayleigh.

“Between 3.15am and 3.30am on Saturday, April 7, a sheep was taken from its flock.

“Damage was caused to lighting around the buildings prior to the theft. “ Call police on 101.