DOG owners have been warned to be on their guard when it comes to their pets as thefts of man's best friend are on the rise in the county.

Pedigree and cross breed dogs are at risk of being snatched and could be sold on websites such as Gumtree or used as working dogs.

The warning comes from the Worcester Dog Warden and the Evesham branch of Dog's Trust and follows a string of thefts in the area.

In a shocking event in Perdiswell on Monday, October 27, a young woman was walking her springer spaniel when a man tried to snatch it.

The woman took to Facebook to warn others.

The attempted snatching took place around 6.15pm near the children's play area in Perdiswell park as the woman walked with her dog, which was off his lead.

A man approached the dog and grabbed hold of its collar and tried to lead it away.

Fortunately it managed to escape as the owner shouted at him from feet away.

The man was described by the police as white, with short dark hair, tall and of slim build and he was wearing jeans and a dark hooded coat. He drove away from the scene in a white van.

In another incident in Evesham in September a family were holidaying in the area from Nuneaton when their dog was stolen.

Rose Collins said her family were devastated when they awoke on Friday, September 26, to find their Jack Russell missing.

"I bought Jack for my twins 13 years ago," she said. "The kids are broken hearted. It wasn't like him to wander off. We left him in the awning, he wasn't tied up, and we woke in the morning and he was gone.

"The kids have been devastated, he was more like a person than a dog and we have done everything to try and find it."

Pip Singleton, dog warden and animal welfare officer at Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said it was a problem that was on the rise.

"Dog theft is certainly on the rise, as we have received more calls about is this year than ever before," she said.

"There is a market for stolen dogs on internet sites such Gumtree, where you can sell a dog on there within a day.

"Pedigree dogs can go for more than £200 at some point. These criminals have found a way to make quick money, it's a horrible way to, but they have.

"The best way to tackle it is prevention, and as an organisation we are trying to spread the word as much as possible to dog owners combat it.

"Getting your dog chipped is crucial, as this puts off the thieves stealing them, and makes them more likely to be tracked and found.

"Simple measures like not going for dog walks alone, trying to avoid going out in the dark, not leaving dogs tied up outside shops on their own, or in cars, are all simple ways to deter opportune thieves like this."

Emma Bragginton, Dog's Trust Evesham’s assistant manager, said they were victims of dog theft in March this year when a man stole a Lurcher, called Luna, from their centre.

Luckily the man was tracked down by the police as they had his registration details.

"It is something that happens more often, dog theft," she said. "But with the rise of social media that helps, or it could be that you just hear about it more now. If your dog is stolen report it to the microchip company and get the details out there."

For more information on protecting your dog, call 01905 822799.

Anyone who may have information about the theft should contact the police on 101 and quote reference number 615 on October 27.