A family have issued a desperate appeal for information after their female Cavapoo was stolen whilst on her routine walk.

They are desperate for information that will lead to Beetle being returned to them safely after they revealed that their beloved dog was purchased for her owner following treatment and surgery for cancer of the oesophagus.

Beetle’s owner Victoria Brown from Alvediston said: “ We have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She has been a massive support to me during my recovery and her absence has left an enormous hole in all our lives”

"Beetle is a massive part of our family and we are absolutely devastated that she is still missing. I would like to appeal directly to anyone who may have Beetle to please do the right thing and bring her back home to where she belongs. There is a large finders fee available to anyone who brings her home to me."

“If you have rehomed or purchased a young adult, female, black Cavapoo since the 31st August, in good faith that might be our Beetle please do take her to any veterinary practice and ask for them to check for a microchip”

DogLost volunteer Justine Quirk said “Beetle was on her routine walk with her owner when she simply disappeared. This is a place Beetle knows and walks regularly and her recall is excellent.”

“As soon as owners realised she wasn’t in eyesight and coming back to frantic calling, an extensive search took place but it’s like she vanished into thin air.”

“Even more concerning is that Beetle’s collar was found unclipped on a road leading out of the village which has led us and the local police to believe that she may have been snatched; something we are seeing more and more of during lockdown”

“Given dog theft has increased by 67% during the COVID pandemic the family contacted Devizes Police immediately who have deemed Beetle’s disappearance theft and have issued the family with a crime reference number.”

“Whilst we believe Wiltshire Police are one of only three other UK police forces to not hold information on pet theft, we are aware of other families in the area that have sadly been victims to this horrible crime; dogs are part of the family so for them to snatched so thoughtlessly from what they know and love and from their home comforts is truly heartbreaking”

Beetle is a 3 year old, black, female Cavapoo. She has a white chin and a small white strip on her chest. She is microchipped and neutered so she is no use for breeding. Her microchip details have been flagged as stolen with the relevant microchip companies and the family has been issued with a Crime Reference Number.

If you know where Beetle is or you have been offered Beetle, please call DogLost on 07916 215 189 in the strictest confidence.