Zahra Rafiq, 29, delivered a litter of six French bulldogs but told owner Safinah Mhagrh, 29, that five had been delivered and one had died, The Times reports.

In reality, two of the six puppies were taken home by Ms Rafiq and an assistant. The puppy stolen by Ms Rafiq died three days later.

Ms Rafiq told a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons disciplinary hearing that she “just wanted to care for the puppy”.

The panel found that she had acted “recklessly and been dishonest” but had received no financial gain and was unlikely to pose a risk to animals in the future.

Therefore, she was suspended from the veterinary register for six months.