Police probe as cockapoo dognapped in broad daylight

A cockapoo was snatched from a family's driveway in a brazen daytime dognapping. Three-year-old Alan was swiped by a heartless thief from his home in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, on Tuesday morning, November 12.

A doorbell video shows a hooded figure strolling onto the drive and leading the unsuspecting dog away at around 11am. Derbyshire Police confirmed officers were investigating but no arrests had been made.

Holly Bryan, a cousin of Alan's owner Stuart Godfrey, 45, issued an appeal on social media to help find the dog. The 27-year-old said Alan was temporarily lashed to a post with an extendable lead while garden renovations were underway at Stuart's home.

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She said: "We left him there for about half-an-hour to give him a bit of exercise while the work was being done because he had escaped through a fence before. I went to get him so we could give him a bath and he was gone. We thought at first he must have escaped after slipping his lead.

"We assumed someone would find him and we'd get him back but when Stuart noticed the lead had gone too we started checking doorbell footage."

Holly posted the clip on Facebook and contacted the authorities to report that Alan had been stolen. She said: "We could not believe the audacity. The house is on a cul-de-sac and it was in broad daylight. Our hearts sank.

"Stuart lives on his own and Alan is all he had. He's gutted. He comes to my house all the time and the kids play with him, he's very much our family's dog too."

"My cousin is beyond himself at the minute, Alan is such a joy to be around; it's such a loss that he's gone. A lot of people have said poor dog to be dragged away from that but Alan actually jumps up like that when he's happy."

"He's such a friendly dog and he was more than happy to go with his stranger. He's just like that, but that makes it worse in a way. He had no idea what was happening.

"Cockapoos are everywhere around here so we assume he's been taken for studding. They are really popular" But we are not bothered about who you are or what's happened, we just want Alan back."

"It's disgusting and the lowest of the low. But the police have done nothing to help so far. They said it could take a week for an officer to come out. I've found a suspicious Audi that was in the area at the time and advised them to check CCTV from a nearby garage but we've not heard anything from them.

"I know it's a dog and there's a lot going on out there but it's still a theft that has had a devastating impact on us. We just want Alan home."

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "An investigation is in its early stages and we are following several lines of enquiries but no arrests have been made at this time."

The public was urged to come forward with any info by calling the force on 101 or via their online portal, using the incident number 24000676906.

Tips can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111 or visiting their website.