Thieves go walkies with £1,000 dog

Aldo, a three-year-old white Siberian Husky, was tied up outside a Morrisons supermarket in Carmondean, Livingston, West Lothian, on Sunday afternoon while his owner was inside shopping.

A man and woman, believed to be in their 20s, approached the dog and were seen petting him before untying his lead and making off towards Raeburn Rigg.

Last night, a husky breeder, who did not wish to be named, warned that the breed's gentle nature and high price tag made them a "sitting target."

"These dogs are largely impulsive and if led off by strangers are unlikely to resist. Their owners should take extreme caution when taking one out of the house."

Aldo's owner, Julija Svetska, 33, a laboratory worker, said: "I had only been in the shop for about five to ten minutes and when I came out a man told me he'd seen a pregnant woman and a man taking my dog away. I ran in the direction he said they had taken Aldo but there was no sign of him.

"Aldo is a very, very friendly dog. He likes people and would never bite anyone. I'm hoping he is not afraid and not being badly treated. I didn't think sort of thing could happen in Scotland."

Ms Svetska added that Aldo had been microchipped giving her hope that they might be reunited. Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area and witnessed the theft to come forward.

The male suspect is described as white, aged about 26-years-old, between 5ft and 5ft 11ins tall with a skinny build and short cropped black hair brushed to the right.

He was wearing a blue coat with a green emblem on the shoulder, a grey T-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers.

The female suspect is described as white, aged about 26-years-old, between 5ft and 5ft 2ins tall with a heavy build, and dark ginger hair.

A police spokesman said: "Anyone who was in or around Morrisons late yesterday afternoon, who remembers seeing the suspects with the dog, should contact police immediately.

Margaret Nawrockji, secretary of the charity Dog Theft Action, warned all dogs were at risk of being stolen regardless of value.

She said: "Why on earth take your precious dog with you and then tie him up outside a shop.

"People should not take their dogs with them when they go shopping and supermarkets should not encourage them by providing water or areas to tie them up."

Steven Gray, senior inspector with the Scottish SPCA said, "If a dog is taken away from its owners and is in unfamiliar surroundings, it is likely it will be very confused and distressed.

"Huskies are becoming more popular and it is possible that Aldo was stolen to breed from or to sell on."