By Tom Barton

29 Jun, 2002

Page 15

A WORRIED dog owner has offered a pounds 1,000 reward for the return of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that she fears has been stolen by criminals involved in dog fighting.

Phoebe Jones is concerned that her dog, Babe, which went missing on Wednesday, has been taken to breed dogs for fighting.

According to a spokesperson for the League Against Cruel Sports, dog fighting has been on the increase over recent years, despite the fact that it was banned almost 120 years ago.

Babe was bought by Mrs Jones from near Penygroes, in Gwynedd as a guard dog, but 'there was no chance' as she proved to be very good natured.

She also points out that Babe has been neutered and is therefore incapable of being bred, while the fact that she is 'chipped' means that identifying her should be relatively straightforward. A spokesperson for the RSPCA pointed out that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not used in fights, although she went on to say that they are sometimes used to create violent cross-breeds.

Mrs Jones added: 'I'm 99 per cent sure she's been stolen. I'm phoning round all of the council dog wardens and asking if they've come across her - she's a very distinctive dog - but none of them have yet.'

* The reward is offered to anyone who supplies information that leads to the safe return of Babe. Phoebe Jones can be contacted on 01286 880198.