Pregnant dog stolen in Forth Valley area is traced in North West England

A pregnant chihuahua with protruding teeth snatched from owners in the Forth Valley area has been found wandering the streets 237 miles away in Greater Manchester.
By James Trimble
Published 3rd Apr 2021, 11:54 BST
Updated 3rd Apr 2021, 12:01 BST
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Minnie, a shih-tzu chihuahua cross, was snatched at around 2pm on Saturday, March 27 from the garden of her home in the Raploch area of Stirling.

It's understood she was taken by a man driving a blue Land Rover Discovery which had Irish registration plates.

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The theft of the four-year-old pet, thought to be pregnant with two pups, is believed to be linked with a Husky puppy being stolen from outside a caravan at a filling station in the town of Dunblane, Stirling, around an hour later.

Following the recent theft of Minnie the chihuahua police are warning people to ensure their dogs are chipped and also advise them not to leave their dogs unattendedFollowing the recent theft of Minnie the chihuahua police are warning people to ensure their dogs are chipped and also advise them not to leave their dogs unattended
Following the recent theft of Minnie the chihuahua police are warning people to ensure their dogs are chipped and also advise them not to leave their dogs unattended

Minnie was found wandering in the Denton area of Tameside on Wednesday, March 31 by a member of the public, who took her in and called police, suspecting she might be a stolen dog.

One of Greater Manchester Police's neighbourhood patrols attended with the force's Animal Care Agents, who scanned Minnie and confirmed her identity.

Police say Minnie's family are now aware of her location and - thanks to the eagle-eyed member of the public and her microchip - they will now be reunited.

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This incident shows how important it is for owners to have their dogs chipped.

And given the increased concerns around dog theft which have been well publicised of late, Police Scotland and Greater Manchester Police officers are also advising people to be “extra alert to their surroundings” when out walking and not leave dogs unattended outside – either in public or in a private garden.