THE owners of two Jack Russells stolen during a country walk believe the dogs may have been the victims of professional dog-nappers. Peter and Jo Williams, of South Street, near Canterbury, are offering a substantial reward for any information leading to the return of their much-loved dogs.

Mr Williams said: "We miss them enormously because they are part of the family. Our 15-year-old daughter Megan is as distraught as we are."

Mr Williams and his wife were walking the two rough-coated, long-legged bitches and their black labrador in orchards near their home on the afternoon of Sunday, January 27.

He said: "It is a walk we often do and because the labrador is fairly elderly we walk slowly while the two Jack Russells always disappear up the hill and are at home waiting for us when we return. But on this occasion they weren't at home, which was most unusual."

By that evening the dogs still had not returned. The couple searched the area and contacted the police, RSPCA, local farmers and vets, but no one had seen sight nor sound of the pair.

The mother and daughter, who are predominently white with brown and black patches, are both pedigree Jack Russells. Mr Williams said: "It is too much of a coincidence for them to have both gone down a hole. We believe they have been stolen.

"Pedigrees can be worth between £300 and £500 each. The thieves were not to know that both dogs have been speyed so would be no use for breeding."

The dogs were taken the day after two black labrabdor bitches went missing from the Nash, near Ash, area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Williams family on 01227 750610.