LITTLE Issy Hofton is desperate to see the safe return of her guinea pigs after thieves made a getaway with them – while they were still in their large garden hutch.
The nine-year-old from Prestbury said she wished they had taken anything other than the pets, which she had chosen herself.
She bought ginger-coloured Jinny and white Crumple with money she had been given for her birthday.
"I felt quite bad when I heard they were taken. I wish they would have taken something else," the St Edwards' pupil said.
"I love animals. I had them for about a year and I got them with my birthday money.
"I used to play with them quite a lot and I brush them as well.
"I wish they would be returned to us."
The pets were stolen in broad daylight in the early afternoon.
Issy's stepfather Simon Gillson was out in the garden when he realised the hutch was missing.
"I have no idea why they did it and there was other equipment around they could have taken, but they just took the guinea pigs and the hutch," he said.
"I was putting out extra protection to stop foxes around when I walked round I found the hutch and guinea pigs missing.
"Issy was rather upset about it, she had them for about a year."
Mr Gillson has now put posters up in various shops in the area appealing for their return.
Mr Gillson said: "Issy was quite shocked when she heard the animals had gone missing. She loves animals.
"We've never had such problems before. We are aware there might have been dog thefts, but I have never heard about guinea pigs being taken before. They were both very close to her, and she loved the animals.
"The hutch was a good 20 yards up from the road, so it was not as if someone just put their hand in and took the hutch and the animals.
"My first reaction was I thought there was no way anyone would do this.
"A lot of people are of the opinion that if someone is stealing guinea pigs, then why are they stealing from a child. It is pretty low."
