Family fear dog sold for drugs (From Stroud News and Journal)

Family fear dog sold for drugs

DISTRAUGHT owners of a loved family pet believe their pet may have been stolen and sold to illegal dog fighters to pay for drugs.

Beau the Staffordshire Bull Terrier bitch escaped through a hole in a fence at Langtoft Road, Stroud and has not been seen by her owners since Wednesday lunchtime.

Owner Karen Phillips said her family was devastated by the loss and appealed for her safe return.

But her concern grew this week after she received a tip-off that a drug addict had picked up Beau and sold her for cash to dog fighters to pay for a fix.

"It's like losing a child," said Karen, whose daughters Emily (10) and Samantha (14) have put up missing posters all over Gloucester in attempt to track her down.

"She will be a year old this week and she's such a softy - she's quite nervous.

"We believe someone in the Stroud area knows more than they are letting on. "We just want her back."

Helen Dallow of the Stroud Branch of the RSPCA said Staffordshire Bull She said terriers are a popular breed and she advised owners to have their dogs 'Identichipped' to make it more difficult to pass on if stolen.