Dog wardens have been left scratching their heads over how to catch a stray dog which is causing havoc outside a cash-and-carry shop.

Officers from the Bradford Dog and Animal Warden Service tried unsuccessfully to snare the timid German Shepherd after reports that it had bitten someone.

The attempt to catch the petrified pooch, which lingers around the Booker Cash and Carry in Lidget Green, left officers out of breath but empty handed last Friday.

Now they have asked staff at the store in Bradbeck Road, off Cemetery Road, to try to befriend the cautious canine so it can be caged.

Terry Singh, the head of the Bradford Dog and Animal Warden Service, said: "A report was received about a German Shepherd that had been acting dangerously in that area.

"The animal is semi-wild and extremely cautious - it may have been ill-treated in the past - so we couldn't get near it.

"We've asked the staff to try and befriend it so we can get close enough to capture it.

"But while this dog remains on the loose it is building up its territory and patrolling its area."

Inspector Stephanie Wiseman, of Toller Lane Police, said PC Charlotte Procter had been deployed to the site after a call from the dog warden service.

She said: "We've had no reports of any dog bites. An officer was deployed to the site but the matter is now in the hands of the dog warden service as it is their responsibility."

Paul Cartwright, the manager of Booker Cash & Carry, declined to comment when contacted by the Telegraph & Argus.