POLICE are advising Three Towns dog owners to be on their guard after a pet pooch was allegedly snatched from a garden in Stevenston and sold on.

Following enquiries the dog was returned to its owners safe and well and the alleged thief reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Officers say they regularly receive enquiries from owners following rumours of dog thieves operating in local communities However, incidents where dogs are stolen are rare – since the start of 2015 only two dogs have been reported as stolen in Ayrshire.

It is worth noting that these incidents involved very different circumstances and did not involve gangs of thieves touring local streets.

Police are asking owners to be vigilant and follow basic security advice: - Ensure your pet is microchipped. If your dog runs off and is found, you can be easily traced as its owner. If your dog is stolen, when it is recovered or taken to the vets, they will discover that the dog is chipped and you will be identified as its rightful owner.  - Don’t leave dogs unattended in the street.  - Don’t leave them alone in a car – particularly when the weather starts to warm up.

- Ensure your garden is secure and don’t leave them alone for long periods of time.

- If you keep them outside, make sure your property and kennels are secure.

- Always keep them on a lead when walking near roads.

- Ensure your dog is fully trained to come back to you before you let it off the lead.

- Don’t allow your dog to run free near roads or in built up areas.

- Don’t allow it to run free near farm animals.

- Don’t let it become a nuisance or danger to other people or animals.

If you see any suspicious activity, vehicles or people please call police on 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency or if you see a crime in progress.