This is the shocking moment a brazen thief barged into a family's home and stole their pet dog in broad daylight in Vietnam.

The suspects had parked outside a resident's house in the Phu Cat District of Binh Dinh province on February 26, causing the neighbourhood dogs to bark.

Hearing the noise, the homeowner went outside to find two men on a motorbike near the gates. She approached them, thinking they were simply lost, when one of the suspects wearing a helmet boldly marched past her right into her yard.

He grabbed the black-and-white pooch, which had apparently been stunned or drugged, and threatened to strike the lady when she tried to interfere.

The woman screamed for help, but failed to stop the alleged pet thieves from leaving. Her husband was seen hopping onto his motorcycle to give chase, but the men had too large a lead over him.

The husband told local media: 'Reviewing the camera, I saw that when my wife went to the gate, then the dog ran in and barked for a few bit before falling down. Immediately after, the man went to grab it by the neck and ran away.

'I have reported the incident to the local government and Cat Chanh Commune Police. Previously, dog theft only happened at night, now in the middle of the day, people also break into the house to catch dogs.

'My family is sad. We had raised the dog for many years. We don't know if he ever woke up from the coma they put him in.'

Police said they have gathered CCTV footage and are now tracking down the alleged burglars.

A police spokesman said: 'We are also calling on people with information related to these two dog catchers to report to the police to support the investigation.'

Dog thieves are a scourge in Vietnam, appearing at odd hours to snatch up pet dogs and cram them into sacks to be sold for meat. However, it is rare for thieves to be so brazen and walk into the owner's house when they are at home.

The animals are sold to butchers for about 20 USD a head before they are roasted for dinner. Pet dogs bring a higher price as they are kept in better conditions that stray mutts.