Lurcher puppy stolen from animal sanctuary

Dog thief

A seven-month-old puppy was stolen from an animal sanctuary.

Magso, a lurcher puppy, was stolen from the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary on Bury Old Road, at about 12.10pm on 14 December 2012.

A man went into the sanctuary and claimed he wanted to rehome Magso. As is standard practice at the sanctuary, he left a car key as a security and was then allowed to take the puppy on a 30 minute walk.

However, when he failed to return the staff discovered the key in fact did not fit any vehicle on the car park and was a decoy.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about Magso's whereabouts to come forward.

He is white with brown patches on his back near to his bottom. He also has a brown patch on his right eye and both of his ears are brown. He also has a distinctive black patch around his right eye. Magso is very thin with long legs.

He is not chipped.

Police Constable Annie-Marie Kelly said: "This is a particularly callous crime. If the thief wanted a dog either for himself or his family for Christmas, then it would have been fairly simple to work with the sanctuary to ensure the dog was suitably chipped, had all his vaccinations and would have been comfortable in his new surroundings.

"As it is, he has torn this young puppy away from the sanctuary without seeking the proper advice and, as a result, it is Magso himself who is now at risk.

"If the thief is so without conscience to simply steal a dog, what is to say he will not get bored of this young puppy and dump him now that Christmas is over?

"The Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary does a fantastic job looking after unwanted animals or pets who, for a number of reasons, need a loving, caring home. Thieves like this not only put the animals at risk but also deprive genuine families of giving these animals a second chance in life.

"I would appeal to anyone who sees Magso to call police immediately."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.