A HEARTBROKEN Sidmouth couple fear their dog could have been stolen after it vanished while being taken out for a walk last month.

A HEARTBROKEN Sidmouth couple fear their dog could have been stolen after it vanished while being taken out for a walk last month.

Bickwell Valley residents Brian and Janet Pankhurst have exhausted every avenue searching for their five-year-old pedigree golden retriever, Carlie, after the beloved family pet disappeared while being walked on Bulverton Hill on the morning of Wednesday, July 15.

Brian, 71, said: "She is a really nice dog, a large part of our family and means a great deal to us.

"She's in her prime and it is totally out of character for her to just disappear. My wife was out walking her and is a bit distressed.

"We thought someone would get in touch, and have given it time, and reported it to the police, dog warden, local farmers, and vets. There is absolutely no sign, we're at a bit of a loss."

Mr Pankhurst said Carlie is a typical golden retriever, was wearing a red collar and is micro-chipped.

A Sidmouth Police spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately, at the moment it's a lost dog and has been reported as this. It would not usually be treated as stolen unless someone had seen it being picked up and taken away. Dogs go missing all the time and do get brought into the police station, hopefully that will be the case here."

Anyone with information can contact Mr Pankhurst on (01395) 512067.