Dog stolen from farm home on Chorley New Road, Bolton

Thieves broke into Bodeane Rostron's temporary caravan home on Atkinson Farm on Chorley New Road at around 2.30pm on Thursday and took his old English bulldog Violet.

Since then Mr Rostron, 35, has been searching desperately for his beloved dog and has been told that Violet, who is aged months and has a lilac tri merle colour, has been moved to several locations and has been beaten.

He said: "I was staying in a caravan in temporary accommodation on a secure farm before moving into my new home and Violet was with me.

"I left the caravan about 10 minutes before they took her.

"They come in the back way, through the cemetery and broke into the caravan and got her.

"I have been told that she was taken to a site in Salford, a safe house in Little, Moses Gate and Wigan.

"I am absolutely devastated, it feels like I have lost a child.

"Dogs are like babies and they rely on you.

"Violet is an absolutely beautiful, loving dog. She is the softest dog ever, really timid.

"From what I have heard she is being abused and mistreated from what I have heard, including being kicked and beaten.

"After she was stolen I received a call from an anonymous number and the person said I would get Violet back if I gave them £2,000 but I told them I didn't have that much money."

Old English bulldog Violet

Dog thefts have rocketed during the pandemic as the value of pet pooches have soared with criminals stealing them before making money out of their sales.

"It is rife", Mr Rostron said.

"It is absolutely disgusting, something needs to be done.

"I think there needs to be longer sentences for stealing dogs.

"It is ridiculous, there people are getting away with it

"It is a serious crime at the end of the day, it is a living creature."

Mr Rostron is offering £1,000 for the safe return of Violet.

If you have any information call him on 07513 807112

Alternatively, if you have any information contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1,884 of April 8.