A REWARD is being offered for the return of a family puppy who was stolen from his kennel.

The thief waited until the dog's owners were out, and then scaled a six-foot-high garden wall before enticing the puppy with treats and making off with him.

The four month-old American bulldog, Buster, had been left in his kennel in the secure garden but the thief struck just two minutes after the family left their home, in Branwell Court, Heaton, Bradford.

Owner Khuram Raja said the family was distraught by Buster's theft, which was captured on CCTV.

PUPPY STOLEN FROM BRADFORD GARDEN IS REUNITED WITH OWNERS

Mr Raja, a 22-year-old student, said: "He is a family pet and we are all very upset, especially my 11-year-old sister, Amina, who absolutely adored him."

A reward of £50 is being offered by the family to anyone who can help police find and return Buster.

The family had gone out just after 5.15pm last Saturday.

Mr Raja said: "The CCTV shows that two minutes later the thief climbs over the back garden wall. He takes what look like dog treats from his pocket and entices Buster out of his kennel. He then puts a lead on him, opens the garden gate and walks away with him along the street, towards Lynfield Mount Hospital.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Ayaan Ali, two, and Amina Raj look into Buster's empty doghouse

"Buster is only a puppy. He is a really friendly dog and very trusting, so he went with this man. He must have been lying in wait and keeping watch until everyone was out of the house and somehow must have known Buster was in the kennel. Clearly some planning had gone into it," Mr Raja said.

"We have been told that American bulldogs fetch a lot of money, so he may have been sold on."

Mr Raja said Buster was microchipped and since he was stolen the family had put an appeal on Facebook which had been shared 500 times.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Buster

He added: "I want to warn other people that someone is doing this. I never thought it would happen but it's real, people do steal dogs. Even CCTV hasn't stopped them. It all happened so fast there wasn't anything anyone could have done. The theft took about two minutes from start to finish.

"People shouldn't leave their dogs in the garden, no matter how secure it is. Keep them indoors or in locked kennels."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A still taken from CCTV footage of Buster being stolen

West Yorkshire Police said it had carried out inquiries into the incident.

A spokesman said: "Anyone who may have seen this dog since January 16, or who saw any suspicious activity around the Branwell Court area, is asked to contact police, quoting crime reference 13160022419, on 101 or report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

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