A DISABLED pensioner whose chihuahua was snatched from her garden is on the verge of quitting her village after claiming her defiant attitude led to attacks on her home.

Shirley Winterbourne, 69, was left devastated when Jake, a 15-week-old chihuahua worth £600, was stolen on Easter Saturday after being let out to play with fellow puppy Zax.

Mrs Winterbourne, of Holtspur Avenue, Wooburn Green, told how her daughter had been approached by an intermediary who offered to get Jake back in exchange for £450.

They refused to do this and reported the incident to police.

But now Mrs Winterbourne claims that this has led to reprisal attacks on her home, including several acts of vandalism to her gate and security light.

She has now filed a request to be moved from her council house and has been given high priority by Wycombe District Council.

Mrs Winterbourne, who suffers from a heart complaint and is disabled with osteoarthritis, said: "The trouble is they don't scare me. I'm afraid to let Zax out in the garden, and it is not fair on him."

Mrs Winterbourne has applied for a one-bedroom house as opposed to her two-bedroom house where she used to live with her husband before he died.

She said: "I have been here for 47 years it is very difficult to just up sticks and go but you've got to haven't you? I'll be sad to see it go, I have got a lot of friends here it is only the vandals who are doing this."

Police are still looking into Jake's disappearance and possible attacks on her home. A spokesman said: "We are investigating a case of criminal damage sometime between 11pm Saturday, April 16 and 9am, on Sunday, April 17, at a property in Holtspur Avenue in Wooburn Green."

She added: "Inquiries are ongoing to see whether these incidents are linked to a previous theft of a dog from the same address."

Call police on 0845 8505 505