West Yorkshire Police appeal after 13-month-old dog is stolen from kennel in village

West Yorkshire Police wildlife crime officer PC Caroline Newsome has appealed for information about the whereabouts of the 13-month-old male Presa Canario dog.

The pet is thought to have been deliberately unchained and taken from its outdoor kennel in Kirkburton on the night of March 12-13.

The dog, called Storm, has a brindle coat and a friendly nature.

Presa Canarios are popular as guard or watchdogs. They are a type of Spanish mastiff bred mainly in the Canary Islands.

As they are not a registered Kennel Club pedigree breed, there are few breeders operating in the UK and waiting lists for newborn puppies are often in place.

Although they can be loyal and protective, Presa Canarios are strong and sometimes difficult to train, so are not recommended for households with young children.

The pre-pandemic price for a puppy was around £700, though this is likely to have risen due to lockdown demand.

Anyone with information relating to the disappearance of Storm has been asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 13210126528.