Banbury man desperate for return of stolen dog - Bessy

Richard Woodall went out to work for a few hours Saturday morning July 25, and when he returned to his Gibbs Road home his dog, Bessy, was not in his back garden where he had left her. His son and his girlfriend were still at home, and they did not hear anything while Richard was away at work from 6.20 to 11.30am.

Bessy is a Frug, which is a French Bulldog and Pug mix with a black head and white body.

There have been no sightings since early Saturday morning before Richard left for work. Bessy is chipped with a 'missing' alert on her chip.

Richard said: "I've had her for six years. She sleeps with me on me bed every night. She's very loving.

"I'm devastated. It's just like losing a member of your family.

"I've gone to the vets, to the dog wardens and to the police. They (police) said if we can't prove she's been stolen then they can't list her as stolen."

The investigation into the circumstances around what happened to Bessy have now (Monday evening July 27) been upgraded to a stolen dog investigation by the Thames Valley Police.

It's unclear how Bessie could have got out of the garden as there is no evidence of a break-in to the garden gate, which was secure while he was away.

Dog Lost UK, the UK's largest lost and found dog service, has helped circulate Missing dog posters online.

A volunteer with the Dog Lost UK Banbury said: "She has not been handed into the dog warden or any of the local vets. This leads us to believe someone must have picked her up

"If it was you, you must hand her in. If you know who has her, you musts report it. You can not keep her, that is theft by finding. She has a loving family, desperate to have her home."

Anyone who has seen Bessy is asked to call the Dog Lost UK number on 0844 800 3220.

Richard said: "She's the friendliest little dog. She doesn't chase cats she plays with them."

Richard is even looking at offering a reward for information on the whereabouts of his dog, Bessy.