A Bradford dog breeder is distraught after a £500 pedigree bitch was stolen within days of her buying it.

Janet Chippendale, 32, of Flockton Grove, East Bowling, Bradford, drove the six-hour journey to a town near Bristol to pick up the £500 pedigree bitch - a Japanese Akita - on Saturday.

But Minnie Mouse, a labrador-sized dog who has won scores of rosettes and awards in regional competitions, was stolen from her kennel in the early hours of Monday morning.

"I'm really angry but all I want is for whoever has got her to bring her back," said Miss Chippendale.

She is setting up the dog breeding business with her partner Gareth Jackson.

"We have another bitch called Shade who is about to drop a litter and we think they must have thought it was her they were taking," she added.

She said they had brought Shade into the house on Sunday night and let Minnie Mouse sleep in her kennel.

They also have a four-month-old Akita pup called Elvis. She is offering a reward for the return of the dog.

But Janet said she feared for the safety of her new four-year-old dog.

"A lot of people have this impression that Akitas are fighting dogs, but this is not," she said.

"This is a dog from the Nikasuko line and is bred for temperament.

"If she's put in a fight she'll get seriously hurt. She's a big, dopey softy, not a fighter."

Miss Chippendale added: "I was burgled before Christmas, then I had my car stolen, now this.

"We really want our business to work and are looking to move away to a farmhouse or somewhere with suitable land."

Minnie Mouse has red fur with a black overcoat, with white patches on her stomach and legs.

If anyone has any information they can contact Janet Chippendale on Bradford 727567.

Police are investigating and anyone with any information can contact Odsal Police on Bradford 376659.

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