£2,500 reward offered after therapy dog stolen from West Sussex
Crimestoppers has launched an appeal for her safe return.
An appeal has been launched to find a therapy dog who has been stolen from her West Sussex home.
Hazel is a one year-old Cocker Spaniel mix who was stolen on Saturday, 15 August, 2020, at around 6pm in the Walderton area, near Chichester.
The independent charity Crimestoppers has now launched an appeal for anonymous information to urgently find her.
Hazel is said to have brought much happiness to not only her owners, but also to the many vulnerable young people and adults who have suffered from abuse, trauma and neglect who benefitted from her affection and companionship.
A van or large vehicle was heard pulling up and a dog was heard barking.
Crimestoppers has said the sound of screeching tyres that followed suggests the vehicle moved away from the scene at speed.
It is believed Hazel could have been moved to any of the nearby counties, such as Hampshire (including Southampton), Surrey or Kent, or to London, or even further afield across the UK or Ireland.
Hazel’s owners are offering a reward via Crimestoppers of up to £2,500 for information the charity receives exclusively – either online or by calling freephone 0800 555 111 - that leads to the safe return of Hazel.
There are also reports of a second attempt to steal another dog in the same area recently.
It happened on Sunday (18 October) at around 1pm, when a man with short, dark hair and facial hair, attempted to grab another dog.
The suspect on this occasion is said to have had an Eastern European accent, was aged around 30 years old, very thin, short to medium height and was wearing a royal blue sleeved jacket.
When challenged, he claimed he was rolling up a cigarette and left the scene immediately in a Transit van with a roof rack attached.
The van was later seen nearby, going from East Marden towards Chilgrove in West Sussex.
Rebecca Taylor, an equine assisted therapist who runs The Haven Equine Assisted Therapy Centre, said:
"We’re absolutely devastated.
"Taking someone’s dog is kidnapping, not just theft.
"Your pets are members of your family.
"Hazel brings so much joy to people, especially as we work with vulnerable young people who have suffered from abuse, trauma and neglect.
"It’s really hard because the children we see in therapy have often lost trust in people and respond better to animals.
"Hazel was very much part of the therapeutic process to help people.
"They loved to cuddle her whilst they’re talking.
"She had a calming influence.
"Some clients even saw her born and have seen her growing up over the year.
"When they ask every week if Hazel is back yet, it’s heart-breaking to have to say no, though I reassure them that we won’t stop looking until we find her.
"Words fail to express just how awful it’s been as there’s every chance Hazel could have been sold on quickly to a breeder, which is why we always encourage people not to buy puppies online as this fuels the trade in stolen dogs - plus there are many lovely dogs needing homes in rescue centres.
"If you have any suspicions or information about Hazel, please speak up and tell Crimestoppers anonymously what you know.
"Please do it for Hazel and for her safe return."
Glenys Balchin, regional manager for Sussex & Surrey at the charity Crimestoppers, said:
"It’s so poignant and sad to think that little Hazel – who is such a trusting and kind-natured dog – is now away from her familiar surroundings and taken from people who love her and care for her.
"Stealing pets, normally for financial gain, is criminal and totally unacceptable.
"We are appealing for the safe return of Hazel the therapy dog and are offering a reward of up to £2,500 for information, given anonymously to Crimestoppers, that leads to her safe return.
"Please tell our charity what you know.
"We guarantee you’ll stay 100 per cent anonymous. Always.
"You can call our UK Contact Centre, which is open 24/7, on freephone number 0800 555 111 or you can fill out our simple and secure anonymous online form.
"Your information could make all the difference and reunite a much-loved pet with its owners who miss her so much."
Information passed directly to police will not qualify for the reward.
Only information passed to Crimestoppers using the anonymous online form or via the freephone 0800 555 111 number will qualify.