MEAN thieves targeted the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity when they snatched heavy 'dog size' collecting boxes from two Leominster supermarkets.
The raiders smashed a window at Safeway, Barons Cross Road, to take one of the containers which are in the shape of a full-size black labrador in guide dog harness.
The badly damaged item, emptied of an estimated £20-£30 worth of coins, was found dumped on the Buckfield estate and was returned to the store.
A walk-in thief appears to have made off with an identical Guide Dogs charity box from inside the Kwik Save store at Westbury Street.
The 'dog' is still missing. Local supporters of the charity this week appealed to townspeople to keep their eyes open for the stolen item.
The collecting boxes are costly to replace said guide dog user Margaret Taylor of the Leominster, Ludlow and Tenbury Wells branch of Guides Dogs for the Blind.
She said members were shocked and saddened by the thefts. "It is unbelievable that someone would go to so much trouble to take away such heavy boxes," added Mrs Taylor.
"Let's hope the person who did this never needs the services of Guide Dogs for the Blind."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article