Dog walkers warned to be wary

Would be thieves attempted to steal a Bichon Frise similar to the one above

Two would-be dog nappers attacked a man after he thwarted their attempts to steal his pet bichon frise.

The 50-year-old victim was walking his dog in a rural area of Stoke when a man stopped him asking for directions.

Whilst he was kept talking he saw the man’s female accomplice bend down and try to unhook his dog’s lead.

The owner managed to grab his dog but was then brutally assaulted, suffering serious facial injuries. He was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital where he had 18 stitches to the wound.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses following the incident, which happened at some point between 9pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday, August 11 near Audlem.

The man is described as Eastern European, possibly Polish, around 30-years-old, medium build, with dark hair which was long on top and short on the sides.

He was wearing a navy top with jeans and white trainers.

His female accomplice, also believed to be Eastern European, around 30-years-old with a slim build and long dark hair.

She was wearing a light coloured vest top with a skirt or shorts and sparkly sandals.

Both suspects spoke with heavy accents and travelled to and from the scene in a rundown silver people carrier with a sliding side door.

Pedigree dogs are currently commanding very high prices and reports of dog thefts are increasing. It’s a sensible precaution, if you’re walking your dog in a remote area, to be on your guard.