DISTRAUGHT owners of an "affectionate" and "loving" lurcher dog, who went missing from Lechlade last week, have offered a reward of £500 to anyone who brings him home.

Owner Paul Clark was working on his boat at Lechlade marina on the between 2-3pm on Friday, June 20 when Skippy went missing.

"He's very used to being on boats and he doesn't normally stray," said Skippy's other owner Ruth Jolly. "Paul went off for just a minute and came back and Skippy was gone."

"We got a call a few days ago with someone saying they saw him being led off by a man, so we think he may have been stolen.

"It's just awful."

Paul and Ruth have had Skippy for more than six years and picked him up from Battersea Dogs Home when he was just a puppy.

The couple do not live locally but Paul often comes to Lechlade as he works with boats.

"We've offered a reward of £500 to get him back" added Ruth. "We were in Lechlade all last weekend looking for him."

Skippy is microchipped and Ruth has contacted the police, all local vet surgeries, and various rescue centres in the hope of finding him.

"He transformed from a closed-in dog with no eye contact whose only thought was survival," said Ruth. "He was the embodiment of distrust and tension when we first got him.

"Since he relaxed he is joyful and cheers everyone he meets. He brings magic to so many people. He was about to train to be an assistance dog to visit hospitals and hospices."

Did you see anything suspicous on Friday, July 20 at Lechlade Marina? Do you know where Skippy is? Call Paul Clark on 07584 666146.