A FAMILY have been left devastated after the suspected theft of their pet dog.

Owner Karen James, of High Hutton has distributed hundreds of posters and carried out day-to-day searches following the disappearance of 14-month old Smudge last Friday.

She said: "Smudge was in the garden with us just a few yards away when he went missing between 8.20 and 8.30am.

"He is a very friendly dog and would happily go up to people and we think someone must have taken him because our farm is surrounded by cows which he is frightened off because he got kicked by one recently."

Karen said she had not slept since and had been searching through the night for Smudge.

"I am out of my mind with worry," she added.

"He is like a family member and I am broken hearted - I just do not know what to do."

Karen has handed out 400 posters to businesses and shops locally and also contacted a number of agencies including the police, RSPCA and dog warden.

"The police have said there is nothing they can do and the RSPCA told me that because he has been neutered whoever has taken him may let him go, but we have seen nothing of him for three days," she added.

"My 12-year-old daughter, Enya, is also beside herself and has been putting posters up in Pickering as well where she goes to school."

Karen said she was now setting up a website to help other people in similar situations.

"I just feel that I need to do something and that there needs to be a contact point for people who have lost a much-loved pet for them to go to," she added.

In August, the Gazette & Herald reported the plight of two families who also believed their dogs had been stolen.

Elaine Booty, from Hovingham, produced hundreds of posters and contacted all vets within 70 miles, as well as RSPCA branches in the district, following the loss of her two terriers Tinker and Hemp.

The two dogs, who were mother and daughter Patterdale crosses, disappeared in June from a field at her smallholding in the village.

Meanwhile, in Farlington, a labrador owned by the Singleton family , of Farlington Grange, went missing in July.

Anyone who has seen Smudge or has further information should contact Karen James on 07966 243926 9 or 07969 125884 or email : karenamandajames@gmail.com