text: Police investigating the theft of 12 prize-winning guinea pigs from a top breeder have not ruled out - a rival competitor. Heartbroken owner Tony Tancock believes only an expert could have targetted the dozen show-quality guinea pigs stolen leaving more ordinary rodents behind. Tony, 56, has won accolades for his specially-bred cavies and has shown them off at events around the country. But he was devastated after a thief snuck into an outbuilding at his home in Crediton, Devon, to steal his prized pets leaving eight behind. Robbed: Police investigating the theft of 12 prize-winning guinea pigs from top breeder Tony Tancock (pictured) have not ruled out - a rival competitor . Sabotage: Heartbroken owner Tancock (pictured) believes only an expert could have targetted the dozen show-quality guinea pigs . He said: 'They knew exactly what they were looking for. They took two tortoiseshells, two black and two brown, all short-haired guinea pigs that besides being show-quality, were also beloved family pets. 'They left six which were not show quality, plus two other show ones.' Tony yesterday issued a desperate plea to the thief to return the treasured pets to him. He said: 'Please bring them back. I miss them dearly and am really worried about them. I would like to know they didn't just get bumped off. They were priceless to me.' Guinea pig fancying took off in the 1890s but a fascination for the furry animals began when they were introduced to Britain from South America in the 1500s. They are still bred for their meat in several countries on the South American continent and are a particular delicacy in the Andes. The biggest event in a guinea pig fanciers calendar - the Bradford Championship Show - draws hundreds of participating critters, competing in categories separated according to breeds. But Tony said that unless his guinea pigs are returned he will not be able to appear at any shows this year. A cavy expert has warned the thefts could be a hate crime from someone with a score to settle. But Bryan Mayoh, chairman of the British Cavy Council, expressed shock at the suggestion a fellow competitor could have deliberately targeted Tony. Heart-broken: Mr Tancock was devastated after a thief snuck into an outbuilding at his home in Crediton, Devon, to steal his prized pets leaving eight behind . He said: 'I would suggest that a personal dispute is a far more likely explanation than that some person was envious of his cavies. 'Real fanciers know how important cavies are to other fanciers and would not dream of trying to steal animals from them. 'In addition, it is very likely that someone attempting to remove cavies at a show would be noticed by other fanciers. 'In 25 years of showing I never had a cavy stolen, nor have any of my fancier friends.' 'But my advice would be to be vigilant of anyone behaving suspiciously at a show and ensure that garden sheds in which cavies are kept at home are padlocked when the owner is absent.' Police say they are investigating the thefts and asked anyone with information to contact them on 101.
target: Heart-broken Tony Tancock, 56, has won prizes for specially-bred guinea pigs .
  A thief stole a dozen of his best from his home in Devon and left eight behind .
  Says only an expert could have targetted them and left ordinary ones behind .
  'They knew exactly what they were looking for,' a devastated Tancock claimed .