DOG owners in Middlewich have been left in a state of panic after being warned that thieves may be targeting the area for expensive small dog breeds.

A spate of chalk markings began appearing on houses containing dogs around Middlewich last week and prompted police to issue a warning to dog owners.

Middlewich and Holmes Chapel Police took to twitter on Thursday, July 2, to remind people to be vigilant. 

The account tweeted: “Chalk marks have been left on houses in Middlewich where expensive small dog breeds live. Officers are aware and ask that owners be vigilant.”

Dog owners have also been using social media to spread the word with scores of residents from Sycamore Drive estate, Manor Park estate, and Booth Lane posting pictures and words of warning on Facebook.

Several residents have reported the markings to the police and some who have had their houses marked now say that strangers have attempted to get into their house.

Stephen Callaghan wrote on the Middlewich Community Group Facebook page: “Please be vigilant everyone after the recent spate of markings on walls in the area in the last few days I've had my door tried to be opened and my garden entered at night.”

Charity Dog Theft Action said that marking houses is an increasingly popular technique used by dog thieves.

Sylvia Tabor, chairman of Dog Theft Action, said: “First of all if your house has been marked you need to take a photo of it, send it to the police and get the mark off instantly. 

“This is getting increasingly popular unfortunately. It’s got particularly bad over the past year where gangs are going round and targeting areas.

 “People need to be vigilant and protect their dogs. Don’t leave your dog alone in the garden because dogs are being stolen from gardens a lot now.

“If you’re thinking of buying a dog, don’t buy it off a website because that’s where these thieves are selling stolen dogs.”