Dogs had to be rescued from the roadside after a thief drove off in a van with them trapped inside.

The pets had been sitting inside a silver Ford Transit van in a Chipperfield residential street, while the driver talked to a customer nearby, when it was stolen at around 1.45pm yesterday (June 3).

The van was then seen pulling over in Chipperfield Road, Bovingdon, at around 2.30pm before a French bulldog and a pug cross were dumped and the Ford Transit made off.

Herts Police are now trying to trace two women who rescued the abandoned animals.

They were apparently taken to a vet by two blonde women to be reunited with their owner.

“Officers are keen to trace these women as soon as possible, as they may be able to assist with ongoing enquiries into the incident,” Herts Police added.

“If this was you, or you think you might know who they are, please get in touch.

“We’d also be keen to hear from anyone else who may have information about the theft, or who captured dash cam footage.”

Information can be reported online or by calling 101, quoting the crime reference 41/44324/24.