A SPATE of dog thefts has led Bury Council to issue a warning to pet owners.

Thieves are mainly targeting younger, pedigree breeds while they are in their gardens or being taken for walks.

Sarah Reynolds from the council's dog warden service said: "In the past month we have seen an increase in this type of theft.

"Thieves are becoming bolder and actually approaching dog owners in the park to befriend them before snatching their prized pets.

"We are particularly concerned as in the latest incident reported that the perpetrator did not have a local accent, which may mean that people are coming to Bury for the purpose of removing dogs."

The latest incident happened in Alfred Street, Bury, on September 28 when a man stole a 15-week-old Japanese Akita after starting a conversation with its teenage owner in a field at the bottom of Gigg Lane.

He slipped his arm round the dog's neck and ran off across the field, making his escape in a Hyundai car.

Two or three dogs have been stolen from back gardens in the area and one collie was removed from outside a shop in Tottington.

One dog was recently reunited with its owner in Chesham Fold after being snatched from his garden. The owners drove around the local area until they spotted the dog being walked and it was handed back.