A dog owner is appealing for the return of his beloved pet, after he was stolen during a break-in.

Mark Harris’s French bull mastiff Bruno was taken by a thief, who forced the front door to his property in Strode Crescent, Sheerness.

He believes the burglary took place between 6.45pm and 7.45pm on Sunday, as this was the only window of time that neither he nor his neighbour were at home.

The 48-year-old also thinks he was specifically targeted for his dog because the intruders took none of his valuables or disturbed anything else.

"How would they like it if someone came into their property and stole their grandma?" - Mark Harris

Mr Harris, who has another mix-breed dog called Jessica, said: “I suffer with mental health problems and the dogs are my lifeline - they help me with my recovery.

"Whoever has done this nicked someone’s pride and joy.

“Bruno’s part of my family. How would they like it if someone came into their property and stole their grandma?”

The theft is especially worrying because the three-year-old dog has a number of medical ailments and requires regular check-ups at the PDSA.

As well as suffering from an allergic reaction to flea bites that cause him to go bald, he also has a condition that means he cannot put on weight.

Unemployed Mr Harris worries that without the treatment he requires, Bruno could become seriously ill.

He added: “I just hope and pray he comes back, but I’ve got a feeling he’s not on the Island - I don’t know why, I just do.”

If you have any information about Bruno’s whereabouts, call the police on 101 quoting reference number XY/027773/15.