OWNERS of valuable dogs fear their pets are being targeted by thieves in the run-up to Christmas.

Dog rescue volunteers have received reports of more than 30 animals going missing in the New Forest and the Test Valley.

In the latest incident two have gone missing from a home near Romsey.

Jack Mesquita and the rest of his family are convinced their lurcher Chillie and shih-tzu Betty were stolen while they were being walked near their home in Braishfield.

“It’s really upsetting,” the 19- year-old said. “I can’t see any other reason for both of them being missing.”

The two dogs are not spayed so could be used for breeding. Shitzu and lurcher puppies can sell for hundreds of pounds.

Lurchers are also targeted as they can hunt deer and can catch 40 to 50 rabbits in one night for a hunter, who can then sell them on.

Jack’s mum Pru, 48, is hoping they are wrong and a genuine animal lover has picked the dogs up. She said the family have been “devastated” since they went missing.

Rescue volunteers believe most lost dogs do not get reported as stolen and are then “mysteriously”

reunited with owners for cash rewards.

Jayne Hayes, from doglost.co.uk, a free volunteer website with a network of members tracing missing dogs, said the Southampton area has become a problem.

She said: “The number of dogs reported missing to us from the area around Southampton has more than doubled since the same time last year.

“It’s easily more than 30 in the New Forest in the last couple of months.

“They are turning up miles away and only when owners have offered a substantial reward.”

Jenny Symmons, from Southern Lurcher Rescue, said their members near Romsey are afraid they will be targeted if they are seen with their dogs.

“Around Southampton is the worst area,” she added.

She said the dogs are used for hunting and breeding.

“You’ve only got to starve a dog for about a week and it will try to take down a deer, so it’s very cruel.”

Rod Mason, animal welfare officer at Test Valley Borough Council, is not ruling out the possibility that the dogs wandered off but said “theft is an ongoing problem as dogs are valuable”.

A police spokesman confirmed they are investigating the case of the missing dogs in Braishfield and appealed for witnesses.

He said: “We want anyone with information to come forward as it’s caused considerable stress to their owners.”