Reward offered for safe return of dogs stolen near Winchester (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Reward offered for safe return of dogs stolen near Winchester

9:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Winchester

A HAMPSHIRE dog owner is offering a £2,500 reward for the return of two stolen cocker spaniels.

The dogs were taken from kennels in Owslebury, near Winchester, at around 3am on New Year’s Eve.

Thanks to contributions from family and friends, the owner is offering a large reward for nine-month-old Tia and 14-month-old Maisie, who are worth £600 each and are both microchipped.

The owner, who asked not to be named for fear for the dog’s safety, said: “Tia was like a best friend and she went everywhere with me. The support I have had from friends and family and the community has been amazing and it goes to show how loved Tia is. She is famous around here and a real character.

“I’m staying strong and hoping she will come back despite some people telling me I will never see her again. I have tried everything now and I just hope the reward is enough because I want my dog back.”

The theft was the latest in a spate across Hampshire over the past year, with a cocker spaniel also taken from a kennels in Bullington, near Andover, last Sunday evening. Earlier this year an investigation found that pedigree dogs across Hampshire were being stolen and inquiries showed that thieves were targeting high-value breeds.

Anyone with information on these thefts should contact Winchester Rural North Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.