Owners on alert as dogs disappear

3:00pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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DOG owners are being warned to be vigilant after a number of pets have gone missing in south Herefordshire.

Several owners have reported their dogs missing to the police and don't believe that they have wandered off or got lost.

Anne Rudge, from Drybrook, believes her five-year-old dog, Todd, a Patterdale Jack Russell terrier cross was stolen in January.

She said: "Lots of dogs have gone missing from about Christmas until now. I believe they were kidnapped to order. In one week, 40 dogs were taken and they were all working dogs - terriers, lurchers and spaniels."

Gloucestershire police, said: "We have had about five reports of stolen dogs.

"However, it cannot be confirmed that these dogs have all been stolen as it sometimes turns out after such reports that dogs have simply wandered off.

"Police are liaising with vets and urging owners to get their dogs microchipped."

Anyone with any information should call police on 0845 090 1234.