A Scots family whose home was targeted during a botched break-in believe thieves may have been after their beloved dog.
The couple were woken by a ‘loud bang’ at their Edinburgh home in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The mother and father, who wish to remain anonymous, rushed to check the doors remained secure but soon spotted that the back door handle ‘felt different’.
They were horrified to discover it had been tampered with using industrial strength pliers in a bid to get into the house, Edinburgh Live reports.
A police investigation into the attempted housebreaking has been launched but the family fears their dog may have been the intended target.
They said: “We were woken up by a loud bang by the back door and noticed the security light was on in the back garden.
“I turned to my husband and said someone is at the back door but we could not see anything.
“I went to check the back door handle and noticed the outdoor lock had been pulled off with pliers and that someone had been trying to break in.
“Nothing else was touched. Our external garage was fine and they weirdly shut the gate when they went out.
“The police said that they suspect the thieves were after the car but we are also worried that they may have been targeting us for our dog.”
It is understood that footage exists from a neighbours Ring doorbell that shows two men with hoods up who walked past around the same time that the crime was committed.
The family also said that CCTV at the Shell garage as well as Maybury Casino at the bottom of Turnhouse Road was also being examined for clues by the Police.
On how this has impacted the family, the mother added: “It is scary because it potentially seems to have been premeditated.
“Our boys don't know it has happened yet as my eldest son would not sleep at night with his anxiety.
“My husband has been fine and if they come back he is ready to give them a hiding but I cannot sleep. How are we supposed to go away and leave the house?
“We are now very paranoid. We are extremely fortunate they never got in but it is not very nice knowing that they were trying to.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of an attempted housebreaking at a property on Turnhouse Road, Edinburgh, around 1.05am on Sunday, June 27.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 0345 of June 27."
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