Six newborn puppies have been reunited with their mother after they were stolen in a violent burglary.

Police had issued an urgent appeal for information on Saturday as it was feared the litter of five-week-old Staffordshire cross puppies would not survive long without their mother.

But on Sunday Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers had made an arrest and the six dogs were safe and well and back with their mother, Zena.

Litter of puppies stolen in armed raid
Zena was injured with a machete while trying to defend her five-week-old puppies (Greater Manchester Police/PA)

A 40-year-old man was held on suspicion of aggravated burglary and remains in custody for questioning.

The pups were taken after two men armed with machetes followed a man into a flat on Fernclough Road in Harpurhey, north Manchester, at around 9.30am on Saturday.

The two began attacking their victim leaving him on the floor with defensive wounds to his forearms and hands, before searching the property, looking for any valuables to steal.

After snatching cash, keys and a phone, they came across the puppies, shoving them into carrier bags and hitting Zena on the face with a machete when she tried to defend her pups.

Detective Constable Nick Kershaw of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “This has been a fast-paced investigation and I am pleased to be able to say that last night, we attended at an address in Moston and recovered all six puppies.

“The puppies are all safe and well, and have been reunited with their mother, Zena, who was absolutely delighted to see them.

“It has been a huge effort from the team to reunite the puppies with their mother before the worst happened, however our investigation is not finished there and we are keen to speak with anyone who can help us.

“If you have information that you think may be of use to us, no matter how big or small, then I would encourage you to please contact the investigation team, or Crimestoppers.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 3985, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.