Safety warning after woman knocked to ground in dog robbery attempt

The 35-year-old woman was walking her Golden Labrador on a bridleway across fields between Moat Way in Brayton and Thorpe Gates in Selby, when she encountered a man who took hold of her dog by the scruff of its neck and its lead, and tried to take it.

She fell to the ground, but managed to send her dog home, and then ran back home herself.

The suspect is described as a white man, possibly in his thirties, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall and with a stocky to fat build.

He had short cropped blond hair, facial stubble and spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a black or dark navy bomber jacket with very scruffy denim jeans tucked into rigger boots. He also had a white Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog with him.

The attempted robbery had at around 6.45pm on Saturday April 25.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or recognises the description of the suspect, to contact them.

Following the incident, North Yorkshire Police have issued safety advice to dog owners, urging them to take precautionary crime prevention measures, including:

· Microchiping your dog, ensure it wears a collar and identification in public places, keep it on a lead, vary your walk times and routes, and don’t let your dog go out of sight.

· If your dog is neutered it will reduce the chances of theft for breeding. If you are a breeder, be careful who you invite into your home to view puppies for sale. Limit the numbers of visitors at a time and try to have another person with you when viewings take place.

·If dogs are kept outside, ensure the areas they are kept in a fully secured. Don’t leave a dog unattended in an unsecured garden or public place.

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1137 Andrew Yates, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12150068233.