PEDIGREE puppies are being snatched from their owners in a spate of dognappings in Bury.

Wardens believe the valuable animals are being stolen to order and the thieves are brazen enough to steal them in broad daylight.

Already several young pedigrees have been taken from owners' back gardens.

The gangs have also targeted owners as they walked their dogs, befriending them, then stealing the puppies.

The latest incident happened last Thursday when a 15-week-old Japanese Akita was taken while 13-year-old Jessica Price walked him just 200 metres from her home in Alfred Street.

Jessica was walking the puppy, called Kai, around Lower Gigg playing field at 6pm when she was approached by a man asking questions about the rare pup and if he could stroke it.

As the man petted Kai, he put his arm underneath the puppy's chest, unclipped him from his lead, then ran off to a waiting car which then sped off.

Distraught Jessica returned home and parents Susan Jones and Robert Price alerted the police and dog warden.

Jessica's mum said: "I thought I was dreaming at first when Jessica told me what had happened. She was left standing there crying and still holding the lead. I just didn't know what to do."

The family bought Kai from a breeder in Warrington for £325 six weeks ago.

They believe he could have been stolen for breeding. Kai is black, white and brown and was wearing a black leather studded collar. He has yet to be neutered and is fitted with a microchip.

Mr Price believes the thief may have even visited the family home the night before Kai was stolen. A man matching the description given by Jessica came to the house asking questions about whether a neighbour's car was for sale.

Mr Price said: "Our son Robert was in the back garden playing with Kai when the man knocked on the front door. Robert walked around to the front and shouted to me there was someone at the door.

"When I went out, one of the gate panels had been broken off and the man said it had just come off in his hand. Those panels have four to six nails in them, so it would have been pulled off with some force and I think he may have been trying to get Kai then."

The thief was tall, aged 30, with short ginger hair and a Liverpool accent.The car he escaped in is believed to be a burgundy Hyundai.

Mr Price added: "We miss Kai terribly and Jessica and Robert haven't been the same since. Jessica would not let go of the lead and cried herself to sleep. If someone spots him, please get in touch with the police."

Meanwhile, other incidents include three dogs being stolen from back gardens in the same area as Kai and a Collie taken from outside a shop in Tottington from where the thief was seen driving off.

A resident in Chesham Fold had one of her two Staffordshire Bull Terriers puppies stolen from her back garden while she was upstairs. When she came down, a neighbour told her she had seen two men leaning over the fence and picking up the puppy before running off. The owner immediately alerted her relatives who searched the streets. It was eventually spotted with a man in Willow Street who said he had been given the dog by someone else before handing it over.

Sarah Reynolds, from Bury Council's dog warden service, said: "In the past month we have seen an increase in this type of theft and it's not just from gardens.

"Thieves are becoming bolder and actually approaching dog owners in the park to befriend them before snatching their prized pets.

"We are particularly concerned, as the latest incident reported that the perpetrator had an out-of-borough accent which may mean that people are coming to Bury for the purpose of removing dogs."

Dog owners are now being warned to be extra vigilant when out with their pet, whatever its breed.

Nationally, the crime is on the increase.

Figures suggest the number of cases of dognapping has risen by more than 140 per cent in the last 12 months.

According to the Missing Pets Bureau, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are the prime target for dog thieves, making up every one in four dogs stolen.

Other popular breeds to be stolen include labradors, lurchers, spaniels and Jack Russell terriers.

The worst counties in the UK for the crime are Kent, Surrey and Sussex with the South East in general thought to have the highest incidence of dog theft.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, executive member for strong, safe confident communities, said: "This is an appalling crime. Pets are part of the family and when one is lost or stolen it can be just as devastating as losing a loved one.

"We urge pet owners to be vigilant and take extra care. The council is committed to doing anything in our power to tackle the problem."

Anyone with information should contact the dog warden on (0161) 253 6283 or 0161 253 5566, or the Missing Pets Bureau on 0800 0198 123.

STOP YOUR DOG BEING STOLEN

Never leave your dog unattended in the garden if you are leaving the house Do not leave your pet in your vehicle or tied up unattended in a public place.

Have your dog microchipped. The procedure can be performed by a vet and will allow the animal to be identified.

If your dog is definitely stolen for selling on or you receive a ransom note, contact the police. Do not attempt to get the dog back yourself.

Report the theft as quickly as possible and ask for a crime number.

If your dog is missing, contact the dog warden on (0161) 253 6283.

Contact groups such as Dog Theft Action, Doglost, Petsearch UK, Petlog Missing and Pets Bureau who can help trace the pet.

Missing pet posters are still one of the effective ways of tracking down an animal. Email it to all the vets, pounds and pet shops in the area so if your animal is brought in, there is a good chance it will be recognised.

Search your local area and places that would be familiar to your animal, such as routes normally used for walks.