A PET shop owner has expressed her anger at thieves who stole a charity box.

Paula Selby, who owns Pets Etcetera in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, said the collection box had been fixed to the till by cable ties, which had been cut.

She said: “There probably wasn’t that much in the box, but that is not the point. We have loyal customers who come in and put change into the box for a charity that rescues border collies.

“Then some low life comes in and takes it.

“They had to cut the ties that fixed it to the till. You can’t believe it!”

Mrs Selby has told police. The incident happened last thing on Wednesday, or early Thursday, June 2 and 3. She said: “They must have come prepared as the cut was a clean one, like using a pair of scissors.”

The box has Wicca Weys Border Collie Rescue on it. Mrs Selby said she had been told the thieves may try and use the box in the street to pretend to get people to donate to the charity.