A NINE-WEEK-OLD puppy was stolen while its owner was taking it for a walk in Pill.

Colin Dinham was walking his dog, CJ, a male shihtzu, across the Pill playing- fields near the Millennium Centre on Monday morning when the dog ran across to a couple of teenagers.

“One of them shouted ‘leg it!’ before grabbing the dog and they both ran away,” said Mr Dinham, who is now concerned that the dog may be harmed.

The dog was meant to be chipped on Monday evening.

Mr Dinham said: “I made the decision to take on this little dog shortly after he was born and patiently waited until he was six weeks old to collect him.

“Now I feel absolutely devastated,” he said. “My worst fear is that they may harm or even kill him.

“Look at his face, he is so innocent and cheeky. He will be so scared and when he is uncomfortable or angry with somebody he sulks big time and becomes very unresponsive.

This may cause someone to get angry with him where they may hurt him.”

If anyone has information about the dog or has seen him, call Mr Dinham on 07411 139483.