A sick German Shepherd snatched in a raid at a charity dogs home could be a threat to his captors and others, his handlers have warned.

Staff at the Dog Care Association in Holme Wood, Bradford, said three-year-old Duke suffers from a painful ear condition which could make him seriously ill if he is not treated soon.

They believe he could become violent if the condition is aggravated.

Volunteers discovered the pedigree dog had been taken after arriving for work at the Ned Lane kennels yesterday.

Manager Karen Greaves believes he has been taken for breeding. She said a litter of German Shepherd pups can fetch up to £4,500.

A reward has been offered by the charity for information leading to his return.

"Duke is a lovely dog but he is not well and if someone touches his ear he could react," she said. "He needs his medication soon. Who-ever has taken him knows nothing about his condition."

It is the second time the kennels have been broken into in the last 18 months and Mrs Greaves said the charity may have to move out of the area to protect the welfare of the dogs.

Staff have reported that three teenage men called at the centre asking about Duke just hours before he was taken.

Mrs Greaves said they were not interested in any of the other dogs and took a particular interest in the fact he had not been castrated.

They left, saying they would return in ten minutes, but were not seen again.

"Whoever came here wanted Duke and had been here before. They came in through an empty kennel and went straight to his block," she said.

He had been at the dogs' home only ten days after he and another German Shepherd, Sash, were handed in by an owner who could no longer cope with them.

Mrs Greaves, pictured with Sash, said Sash had been missing her playmate since his disappearance.

"We just want him back. His condition will not go away and whoever has him could have let themselves in for a whole lot of trouble.

"I urge them to return him even if they just tie him securely to the gate of the dogs home overnight."

Heather Holmes, a spokesman for the RSPCA, said thefts of pedigree dogs were not unusual.

"Dogs like this are valuable," she said.

Anyone with information can contact police on (01274) 376459 and the charity on (01274) 778055 or 0796 0917979.