The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Police hunt man who tried to steal two dogs
Police in Fife are warning dog owners to be on their guard after a man attempted to steal two pets from a woman on their morning walk.
The incident happened around 8.30am on Monday, March 22, in a Dunfermline street.
The owner of the dogs was walking between Fillan Street and Serf Avenue in the town when she was approached by a man who then attempted to remove the leads from her dogs, in what police are treating as an attempted theft.
The man made off empty handed and was seen to enter a white Ford Transit van parked nearby.
Police say the van in question was also visibly rusty suggesting it may be an older vehicle. The suspect is described as being white, in his late 20s, around 6ft tall and of slim build, with dark hair, a black hooded top and a black mask.
The incident has sparked fury and concern among local dog owners, who have been appalled by the alleged attempted theft.
Hundreds of people took to social media calling for more to be done to make walking their pets safe on public streets.
Tina Thomson wrote: “This has to be stopped. When taking our dogs out for a nice walk, we now have to be looking around in case some scumbag is going to steal our beloved pet, hardly making it enjoyable.
“Perhaps we will have to make sure we have
something with us to defend ourselves and our pets.”
Lynsey Gibson added: “It just feels like we can never be safe – 8.30am is a busy time on a Monday in full daylight so you would think you would be safe to walk a dog then.”
Wendy Aitken said: “This is terrible, heartbreaking for the owners.
“Being a dog lover, my heart breaks for them, too.
“This has to be stopped.” The incident comes less than two weeks after similar attempted dog thefts in the Baxter Park area of Dundee.
Police officers are continuing to investigate after three men attempted to steal a dog from a 14-year-old boy, whilst in a separate incident a woman was pushed to the ground and her dog taken but then released.
Officers investigating the attempted theft in Dunfermline have issued a warning to dog owners in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, unwanted approaches or similar incidents to the police without undue delay.
They have also appealed for anyone who saw the suspect, or who was in the area at the time, to contact police via 101, quoting incident number 0849 of Monday, March 22, 2021. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 where information can be given in confidence.