This is the moment a hooded woman was caught on a doorbell camera leaving a family home with their dog after a suspected break-in.

Dad-of-two Christopher De Freitas, 44, was on holiday in Cornwall with his kids when a friend who was housesitting rang to say seven-year-old Zidane had vanished.

Footage from his Ring doorbell shows a woman repeatedly visiting the property before Zidane is seen walking past the camera, followed moments later by the woman as she pulls up her hood.

Christopher says she knocked at the home four times in around half an hour before returning about 40 minutes later and leaving with the Beauceroodle – a Beauceron and Poodle cross.

He says a neighbour’s gate was damaged and his double-glazed doors were forced open, while a dog lead and food were also taken.

The TfL worker said he began receiving Ring notifications while sitting on a beach with his children when he realised what was happening hundreds of miles away.

Christopher, from Colchester, Essex, said: ‘I thought, what the hell is this?

‘Someone was leaving the house with my dog.

A family’s dog, Zidane, disappeared from their home in Essex while his owner, Christopher De Freitas, was on holiday in Cornwall with his children

Ring doorbell footage allegedly shows a hooded woman repeatedly visiting the house before leaving with the dog

‘I was on the beach with my kids at the time and they could hear what was going on.

‘I went into utter shock. I was quickly trying to call the police.’

He added: ‘The woman came twice to the house, knocking on the door and looking at the Ring doorbell.

‘Then you just see the back gate open, because the doorbell is attached to the back gate.

‘I see my dog walk past and see her walking past – she was trying to cover her face by putting her hoodie up.’

Zidane disappeared from the family home on August 18 and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Essex Police said a 49-year-old woman was arrested and interviewed in connection with the incident before being released on bail until October 2.

Thousands of people have shared appeals for Zidane on social media as his family desperately try to bring him home.

Christopher said his two kids have been devastated by his disappearance.

He said: ‘They’re still crying and asking about the dog. I feel like I can’t help them.’

Describing the family pet, Christopher said: ‘We’ve had him since he was a puppy.

‘He’s brilliant with families and other dogs, and he’s very intelligent.

‘He even showers with us – if you leave the shower on, he’ll jump in.

‘He’s a beautiful dog.’

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘A 49-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a burglary at an address in Colchester.

‘It was reported a dog was taken on the morning of 18 August.

‘A woman was arrested on suspicion of burglary today (24 August) and she has since been released on bail until 2 October.

‘If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.