A FAMILY fears its much-loved pet dog, which was stolen from the back garden, may have been snatched to be used as bait in dog fighting.

The owners of the nine-year-old miniature schnauzer, Charlie, have released CCTV footage showing how the trusting pet was dragged by the scruff of the neck over a wall and bundled into a white Transit van, which was then driven away.

LATEST: FAMILY'S JOY AS STOLEN DOG IS FOUND

Devastated Andy Brown told how his severely autistic granddaughter Kyla, six, and his 18-year-old son, Ryan, were particularly upset about the loss of Charlie, who Mr Brown bought for £500 when he was an eight-week-old puppy.

Mr Brown, a 51-year-old production manager, said: "Charlie is worth a lot more emotionally. We bought him as a family pet because of his lovely temperament and that's what he has always been. He is great with kids and he has been a big help for Kyla. She plays with him all the time and walks him round the garden.

"She cannot talk because of her condition, so she cannot tell us how she is feeling. But she keeps looking for Charlie and is clearly missing him terribly. We all are."

Mr Brown said his son had let Charlie out into the back garden of their home, in New Hey Road, East Bowling, Bradford, at 8.15pm on Wednesday. When he opened the door to let him back in 45 minutes later, the dog had gone.

When the family studied the footage from its two CCTV cameras, a suspect could clearly be seen enticing Charlie to him and then dragging him off to the waiting van.

Mr Brown said: "The footage showed the van driving past our house. It then returns, driving slowly and with its lights off. You see the man on the pavement gesture towards the van, before he grabs him [Charlie], puts him in the van and it drives off. From seeing Charlie looking out of the gate to the van driving off with him is only about two and a half minutes. It's frightening how quickly it happened."

He said Charlie was microchipped and had a collar with his name and their phone number on.

"We did everything we could to make sure he could be traced if he ever went missing. But then someone comes along and thinks they have a right to take him, and because he is so placid he goes to them," Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said he did not know why Charlie had been stolen.

"He is a valuable breed and I hope he has been stolen to resell. If not, you have to look at more sinister reasons for him being taken, such as a bait dog. I hope not. We are worried enough about him being missing, but it would be worse if he was being mistreated.

"You shouldn't have to stay with your dog when it is in your own garden at home, but it looks as though that's what people will have to do. We don't want this to happen to anyone else.

"If anyone knows where Charlie is, please call the police, or contact me on Facebook."

Inspector George Bardell, of Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "A PCSO is due to visit the dog's owner to make further inquiries and collect CCTV footage from the vicinity of the offence.

"Clearly the theft of any pet is extremely distressing for the family involved, particularly in circumstances such as these, and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed the offence, or who has information, to call Bradford East NPT via 101.

"Information can also be given to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."