Mum left shocked as dog is snatched from hand
A MOTHER was left bruised after she was tackled to the ground by two men who snatched her beloved sausage dog.
The woman, who has not been named, had been walking two-yearold dachshund Minnie when she was approached by two men.
Her son, James Fox, said one man tackled his mother to the ground and left her lying on the pavement, while another snatched the dog lead out of her hand.
As they stole the dog they lifted Minnie up in air by the lead, throttling her. The mum says she could hear her beloved pet “crying” as she was thrown into a black Ford Mondeo near Tollgate island, Woodville.
Mr Fox, who has launched an appeal to find Minnie, said: “She had been walking near the roundabout and she said someone jumped on her from behind and tackled her to the ground. Then another man snatched the lead from her hand and pick up Minnie in the air by her lead. She was being strangled.
“Mum is really shaken up. We are massive pet lovers and the dog means more than anything to us. Mum is a bit scuffed and bruised. We are just mortified and heartbroken. Minnie had a litter about a year ago and she has been spayed now and has a chip. We only live around the corner from where it happened.”
Mr Fox said it was one of the first times timid Minnie had been outside since December, when she became spooked by fireworks.
He said: “She has only just rebuilt her confidence and then this happens. She is such a lovely dog.”
Mr Fox believes the dog has been stolen so the thieves can claim a reward. He is appealing for the thieves to hand Minnie back and anyone with information should contact the police. Anyone who knows where Minnie is or saw anything can contact police on 101.
It comes as there has been a rise in dog-nappings across the UK.
A thief recently stole a miniature dachshund from a home in Stafford Street, Burton, after telling the owner he only wanted to show the sausage dog to his children – but never returned. This incident happened on March 14.
A month before, on February 10, eight miniature wire-haired dachshunds were stolen by thieves who raided a house in Burton Road, Acresford. Two of the dogs were later located but six remain missing. They are pedigree show dogs and worth a substantial amount of money.
A man walking his collie dog in Derbyshire also told how two men posing as RSPCA officials asked to check his dog in the back of their van. He knew they were fake and when he challenged them they drove off.