An appeal to track down a dog stolen from a frail Dundee pensioner has been shared over 9,000 times.
Leonard Ormond, 82, watched helplessly as a van drove past his house on Napier Drive on Monday and took Rosco, a Border Terrier, from the garden.
The eight-month-old pup had been a birthday present from his son Gordon and was with the OAP night and day, keeping him company.
Leonard said: “It’s been hellish, it just keeps going round and round in my head.
“I hope that Rosco is being looked after.”
Gordon added: “My dad is very distressed, he is heartbroken.
“He’s frail and couldn’t do much to stop the thieves.
“He was sitting in his living room when van drove past.
“His eyesight isn’t great, but he did see it was a grey van, with a logo that said something like “hedge trimming” on it.
“Two men got out of the van, picked Rosco up and drove away.
“He couldn’t do anything to stop them.
“Straight away we put out an appeal online and it’s been shared thousands of times.
“Other people said they’d seen a similar van driving around when they were walking their dogs, and the men had shouted “nice dog” to them, so I think they were specifically looking for a dog to steal.
“Rosco is microchipped, so if he’s sold on and taken to a vet then my dad’s details will come up.
“We just hope we can find him before it’s too late – the first few days after being stolen are the most important.”
Leonard has lived on Napier Drive for 71 years and had never had any trouble in the area before this incident.
A Facebook appeal has now reached several hundred people and a further appeal on the Missing Pets Dundee and Angus page has been shared over 9,000 times.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland is making enquiries following a report that a brown-coloured male Border Terrier dog was stolen from an address in Napier Drive, Dundee between 9am and 9.30am on Monday.
“Officers are keen to trace a grey Ford Transit van with a blue or possibly brown logo that was seen in the area at the time.
“The man driving the van was wearing a wearing high visibility vest and was accompanied by another man.
“Anyone who saw or heard suspicious activity or has information to assist officers is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
“Alternatively information can be passed to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
