The number of dog thefts across the county has risen by nearly 40% in the last year.

There were 160 incidents reported to Kent Police in 2017, up from 116 the year before.

Nationally, the figure increased by 7%, with an average of five dogs stolen every single day.

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Out of 261 were stolen across the South East, only 40 were found.

Canterbury Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre manager Harriet Blaskett described it as a "worrying figure".

The staffordshire bull terrier is still the most stolen breed of dog, with 210 stolen across Britain in 2017, according to a freedom of information requests submitted by Direct Line Pet Insurance.

However, this figure is down 15% on the previous year, with thefts of huskies rising at the fastest rate.

Kent Police Inspector Dave Smith said: "We take all reports of dog theft seriously and understand that the theft of a pet can have a devastating effect on victims.

"When a theft is reported to us, investigating officers will follow all available lines of inquiry to recover the dog and bring those responsible to justice."