PETLINE organiser Chris Butterworth is warning local pet owners to be on their guard against dog snatchers.

The warning comes after the mysterious disappearance of a number of small breeds and working dogs throughout Greater Manchester.

Animals which are at risk range from Yorkshire terriers to lurchers.

"The working breeds are always stolen by illegal hunters who dig foxes out of holes. The little dogs are always popular at this time of year because they're easy to sell for Christmas", she says.

Chris adds that Trafford people can stop the hunters by reporting anything suspicious to the RSPCA in confidence on 0990 555 999.

The principal thing to look out for is a group of individuals carrying spades and accompanied by a group of small dogs. They operate at night and a vehicle registration number will make it easier for the authorities to track them down.

On a lighter note, nine dogs and eight cats have been re-united with their relieved owners.

Lost

GEORGE: eight month old, long haired, black female cat with a red sparkly collar. Went missing in the Old Hall Road area of Sale on November 8. Call 07990 943 419.

CLYDE: nine year old, brown, terrier type neutered male dog with a white patch on his chest. Wearing a brown leather collar when he went missing near the Trafford Centre on November 6. Call 747 9438.

COOKIE: two month old, ginger and white female kitten that went missing in Stretford on November 10. Call 865 2248.

PEBBLES: long haired, female tabby cat wearing a red and white collar. Went missing in the Sale Water Park area of Sale Moor on November 10. Call 283 1065.

TOBY: sturdy, black, neutered male cat wearing a blue flea collar. Went missing in the Eastway area of Sale on November 7. New to the area. Call 973 8013.

BUSTER: eight month old, tan/brown male dog wearing a black collar with a black and white squares pattern. Went missing in the Northenden area on November 17. Call 613 2873.

SOPHIE: ten year old, blackish brown female cat with white paws, white on her chest and nose. Went missing in the Addison Road area of Stretford on November 9. Timid and new to the area. Call 865 2445.

Using Petline

If you would like to put a pet on the register or have any news about animals but do not want to speak directly to the owners, call Chris Butterworth on 902 0483, between 9am and 9pm. If she is not around, keep trying.

If you would like a picture of a lost pet to accompany a written appeal, send it to Rick Bowen, SAM, 25 Ashton Lane, Sale, M33 6TP - but speak to Chris at Petline first.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.