TWO young burglars whose actions led to a house burning down killing a family's pet dog have been put behind bars by a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Nathan Creech, 21, of Hercules Road in Poole and Shaun Crago, 17, of no fixed abode, had pleaded guilty to burglary at an earlier hearing.

The pair had broken into a house in Dorchester Road, Poole, during Bonfire Night last year after the family had gone to a fireworks display at Bovington Camp.

Prosecutor, Tim Moores, said the house was home to an army captain, his wife and two teenage children.

Mr Moores said: "Within a short time neighbours noticed a white Escort car outside and two males inside the vehicle. At some time between 7.15 and 9pm the premises were emptied.

"It's clear at some point a fire was set in the premises and as a result extensive damage caused and the family's pet Labrador, George, died."

He said structural damage to the house would cost £60,000 to rectify and the lost contents £35,000 to replace.

"The arson occurred as a result of the burglary and there's no explanation otherwise," he added.

Jonathan Anders, defending Crago, said that his client had asked for eight further offences to be taken into consideration.

Robert Gray, defending Creech, said his client had kicked his drug habit and had a full-time job waiting for him.

But Judge Roger Jarvis, said: "This family suffered very considerable loss of property and loss of their cherished pet Labrador dog."

Creech was sent to prison for two-and-a-half years and given a further two months for failing to turn up at an earlier hearing, to run consecutively.

Crago was given two years detention.

No order for costs was made.