A distraught dog owner is offering a £1,000 reward for the return of her pedigree pet, who she fears has been stolen.

Eighteen-month-old Fudge is one of three chocolate brown working cocker spaniels to have disappeared from the Apperley Bridge area in the past four months.

Her owner, mobile hairdresser Debbie Forey, fears the valuable pedigree dogs might have been stolen to order.

Fudge vanished from the driveway of her home, in Woodlands Close, on Monday afternoon while her husband Stephen was offloading items from his property maintenance business.

Mrs Forey, 44, said: “Stephen was putting some stuff in the garage. He takes Fudge, and her mum Cocoa, in the van to work with him. He had let them out and they were on our drive.

“He was only ten minutes putting the stuff away and then shouted the dogs to put them back in the van, but there was no sign of Fudge.

“She wouldn’t just wander off, so I think someone has enticed her to them and they have picked her up and taken her. She is very friendly to humans, though she is scared of other dogs and animals.”

The couple have been searching for Fudge, who is valued at hundreds of pounds, almost every working hour since she disappeared and are putting up wanted posters with her photograph around the area.

Mrs Forey said: “Two other dogs of the same breed and colour have gone from our area, so it looks as if someone is targeting the breed. We have contacted the police and the dog wardens, and we just want to make people aware of the situation.

“We are offering a £1,000 reward for the return of Fudge. We will do whatever it takes, we just want her back. She means the world to us, and our two daughters are absolutely devastated.”

Police confirmed they were contacted regarding a report that a cocker spaniel was missing from an address in Apperley Bridge.

Anyone who finds the dog should contact the Leeds North West Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team, on the 101 non-emergency number.