Mr Holte-Smith walks Cabbage on a Monday and Friday morning, and a colleague of Mr Cellan-Jones takes her on Tuesdays to Thursdays.

The dog walker told The Telegraph that he’d never left his van running before to knock on a door, but that he didn’t fathom that somebody would steal it. 

He said: “I wouldn’t take anything from people. I’m definitely not contemplating somebody stealing my van. My brain can’t even comprehend. What world are we starting to live in?”

He didn’t see the van being taken, but noticed a red Audi pulling up next to the vehicle, somebody getting out and then his van being driven away “super fast”. 

He said: “You know, the dogs are also known as my protection. I would think if people are scared of dogs, you know, not wanting because they normally can be aggressive in my vehicle when anyone comes because they protect it. 

“So you know, I’m shocked and I’m gutted, but I’m gutted for my clients. 

“I love these dogs, these dogs are my friends. It hurts. I’m trying to be positive. So that my mindset to stay positive so we could get a positive result.”

Mr Holte-Smith has been driving around with his clients in an attempt to find the dogs. 

None of the pets in his van were valuable breeds that have been targeted during lockdown.

“These are not Frenchies, they’re not bulldogs, they are not anything that is going for thousands of pounds.

“They’re all quite oldish dogs you know they’re beagles.”