A family has been left devastated following the theft of two hand-reared pet sheep.

Amanda Butterfield, of Newsholme, discovered the animals — named Treacle and Annie — were missing last Thursday morning.

They had been taken from a shed a five-minute walk from her home, some time between last Wednesday night and early the following morning. Annie was heavily pregnant.

The pair were both pure bred Texel sheep. Annie was born in March 2007 and had to be bottle-fed after she was rejected by her mother. Treacle was of a similar age and was also hand reared.

Speaking last Thursday, Mrs Butterfield, 45, said she was not looking forward to telling her 11-year-old daughter what had happened. These sheep were our pride and joy,” she said.

“They weren’t just like normal hill sheep, they were very tame indeed. They would have been easy targets and I’m just gutted that they’re gone,” she said. Mrs Butterfield, a teaching assistant, said her family had been keeping small numbers of livestock for 14 years but had never had animals stolen before.

She said she was so keen to get the pets back she would be willing to offer a reward to anyone who managed to return them. She can be contacted on 07773 023283.

She stressed neither of the sheep were fit to be eaten as they had recently been given anti parasite injections.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed officers were investigating the theft.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around the farm to contact police on 0845 6060606.