AN animal lover is combing the streets looking for his five dogs which have gone missing, believed to be stolen.

Andrew Dann, aged 20, was devastated to find the three Border Lakeland Terriers and two Collie Greyhounds were missing from their kennels at his Farnworth home.

He returned from a night out in the early hours of Saturday and was surprised that he could not hear the dogs barking.

When he looked in the garden, he found all five were not in their separate kennels which he had locked before he went out.

Mr Dann believes they have been stolen to order and has been told that the theft of working dogs is on the increase.

The terriers are all red and female. Charlie is a four years old, Jip is two and Bex is only four months.

Mearle, a Collie Greyhound, is four and has a distinctive grey coat with blue and grey patches. She has one blue eye and one brown eye.

Six-month-old Collie Greyhound Alfie has a fawn and white rough coat.

Mr Dann said he has had Charlie and Mearle since they were six weeks old and has bred the other dogs.

He said: "It is Mearle I am worried about most. She is a very timid dog and doesn't like strangers. She will be upset. The other dogs are young and more confident.

"The neighbours thought it was unusual they didn't hear the dogs barking as normal on Friday night. No one saw a thing. I am just devastated."

"They are working dogs and that is the reason I think they have been stolen. I need them returned safely to me as soon as possible.

"I have been out looking for them myself and I have sent photographs to dog magazines warning that they have been stolen.

"I used to take them on the fields every night for a walk. I miss them running around the garden."

Anyone with information about the missing dogs should call Bolton police on 0161 872 5050, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.