A dog owner has said she is 'numb' and 'living in a nightmare' after her two dogs were stolen, tied up in a builder's bag and left to drown in a canal.
Sisters Nala and Nova, both three-year-old Mastiff-type dogs, were let into the garden for an overnight toilet break on January 12.
Minutes afterwards, owner Sarah Hamblett, from Heath Town, Wolverhampton, returned to find the back gate wide open and the dogs missing.
They were found five days later by a passerby, drowned in a builder's bag tied to a boating lake in a nearby canal.
Ms Hamblett believes the dogs were targeted 'because of their breed' and the fact that they 'look like big XL bullies'.
Mrs Hamblett told MailOnline: 'Nala and Nova were sisters. They took their first breath together and their last breath together.
“It's like you're living a nightmare right now. I'm devastated. I'm just numb. '
The 49-year-old let the dogs out around 10:30 p.m., went to visit her grandchildren for a few minutes and returned to find the couple was not eagerly waiting to let them back in, as they usually did.
Sisters Nala and Nova (pictured) were three years old when they were stolen and left to drown
Owner Sarah Hamblett, 49, believes the dogs were targeted because of their resemblance to XL bullies, which are banned in England and Wales
After checking footage from her doorbell camera to no avail, the mother of six then searched nearby roads and her local park and enlisted the help of a neighbor.
“I literally left the three kids sleeping to see if I could find them.
'I stayed up all night and registered them as stolen. A few days later I found out that my dogs were thrown into the water in a bag. '
A member of the public spotted the bag near Smestow Street on January 13, but did not look inside until four days later, when they discovered the dead dogs, the RSPCA said.
RSPCA inspector Vicki Taylor said: 'There was no apparent cause of death or injury and they were in good condition. It looks like they drowned. '
Owner Mrs Hamblett told how she was 'devastated' when she was informed by RSPCA on January 20 that the dogs were found dead.
'I slept a total of 12 hours the week they went missing. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, my mind was going over everything.
'When I found out how they died, I was shocked. I couldn't talk to anyone for two days.
The dogs were left in the back garden for a toilet break and were missing when Mrs Hamblett returned a few minutes later
The dogs were discovered by a passerby in a canal near Smestow Street, Heath Town, Wolverhampton
Nala and Nova were strapped into a builder's bag (like the one above) which was attached to a boat mooring in a nearby canal
'When I see a picture of them, it breaks me down. Right now I just want to fight for justice for them. Whoever did this must be held accountable. '
According to Mrs Hamblett, the garden was secured by a 6ft high fence, which the dogs never even 'tried to scale.
'It's really not good, it's just unacceptable. It's not just because they're my dogs – it could have belonged to anyone.
“I think whoever is responsible should be put in jail and given a long sentence to show others that they can't get away with it.”
Ms Hamblett believes Nala and Nova were disliked because of their resemblance to XL Bully Dogs, which are banned in England and Wales.
However, she says she has a certificate of exemption for the sisters, whom she called “big softies.”
'They wouldn't hurt a fly. With large breeds you want people to be able to come into the house – they were well trained, they were gentle with everyone, they loved everyone.
'They were brilliant with our cats, one of them climbed into their bed, he wonders where they went and he keeps crying.'
Clare Vowels from Wings and Paws Rescue has started a fundraiser on crowdfunding platform GoFundMe on behalf of Mrs Hamblett.
MS VOWELS wants to raise enough money to provide a financial incentive for people to come forward with information that could lead to 'the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible'.
The fundraiser, titled Justice for Nala and Nova, reads: 'Who did this? Who stole these innocent dogs from their home and took their lives?
'They should have been safe in their own garden. Instead, they were stolen and brutally murdered. '
In the event that no one is charged with stealing and killing the dogs, the funds will be used to support local families looking for lost or stolen dogs, the page says.
Mrs Hamblett said: 'I have to thank Clare and Gemma at Wings and Paws – I owe them the world.
'I can only try to find who is responsible because nothing will bring them back now.
'I'm never going to be at peace. I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone, not even my worst enemies – even though I have none. '
The grandmother of ten said she has been keeping track of the gruesome details of the dogs' 'deaths' of the youngsters' and her youngest son, aged 13, has been taking time out of school because he is 'mentally exhausted'.
West Midlands Police have been contacted for comment.
