Thieves stole five pet bulldogs, leaving a heartbroken Black Country man “without his children” for Christmas.

Geoff Green said he was devastated by the theft.

He has offered a substantial reward for the conviction of the thieves and return of the two adult dogs and three 18-week-old puppies, one of which needs attention from a vet for an eye condition.

The 56-year-old breeder, who lives alone in Wrens Nest Road, Dudley, said that he would normally share his Christmas dinner with his dogs.

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Thieves stole five pet bulldogs, leaving a heartbroken Black Country man “without his children” for Christmas.

Geoff Green said he was devastated by the theft.

He has offered a substantial reward for the conviction of the thieves and return of the two adult dogs and three 18-week-old puppies, one of which needs attention from a vet for an eye condition. The 56-year-old breeder, who lives alone in Wrens Nest Road, Dudley, said that he would normally share his Christmas dinner with his dogs.

He said his festive plans had been shattered by the theft early on Sunday.

He said: “They were my family – that’s how I look at them.

“I just want them back. I live by myself and I always get a boneless turkey crown to have for Christmas dinner with them all.

“They are like my children, and I can’t imagine being without them at this time of year.

“You don’t even want to know what I think about the people who have taken them. To come in and do something like that, they are just low-life.”

The thieves broke into the back of Mr Green’s home while he was making a pre-Christmas visit to friends.

The dogs were passed over his 7ft garden fence and police believe three or four thieves must have been involved.

The adult dogs are named Taluoa and Rita, while the puppies are called Freddy, Bailey and Lexi.

Mr Green’s 25-year-old niece appealed to anyone with information about the dogs to get in touch.

She said: “He has been a breeder for 25 years and the dogs are his family, he just lives for them.

“He is aware that someone may well have bought these dogs very innocently and he just wants to get them back, he’s is not interested in anything else.”

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Zoe Coward said the thefts were being nvestigating.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the dogs is asked to call Mr Green on 07908 049010 or Dudley Police Station on 0845 1135000.

By Richard Williams