Appeal for dog missing after Land Rover theft in Shropshire
A pet dog was snatched from a stolen Land Rover - prompting a huge appeal backed by thousands of people on Facebook to find her.
The search for springer spaniel Rosie has gone viral after the Land Rover she was in was stolen from Leebotwood shortly after at 5.30pm yesterday.
The vehicle was found dumped in Dorrington, but there was no sign of the dog and now her owners have rescued a desperate plea for Rosie to be returned.
Jim Thomas, who farms in Longnor, has never been without his faithful companion and is worried she may have been dumped somewhere.
He said: "Rosie was in the back of the vehicle in a white box because she clambers everywhere.
"It was parked in Leebotwood and later found dumped in Dorrington, but there was no sign of Rosie.
"We don't know what has happened to her and whether she has been dumped and run off.
"She has a tag on her collar and she has been microchipped.
"If you have her, please let her go."
Farm Watcher Uk which is a national scheme to help farmers recover stolen property has become involved in the search, and Rosie's story has been shared more than 5,000 times.
Mr Thomas's daughter, Lucy, who now lives in Devon, said: "I've been doing the Facebook campaign and we've had a great response.
"Rosie is a working dog and she smells pretty strongly of cows.
"She is very friendly, and she is also my dad's best friend.
"He is not a sentimental man, but that dog means an awful lot to him.
"It's not the money, it's the emotional value of her."
A spokesman for West Mercia Police confirmed the theft of the dark blue Land Rover Defender.
Anyone with any in formation should call 101.
