Dog owner 'destroyed' after 'best pal' stolen from Glasgow city centre

Stevie Douglas took his "best pal" Charlie on a walk on Saturday, before briefly visiting a shop on Hope Street on their way back.

While inside, he left the black labrador chained outside the store. Two minutes later, when he returned, his dog was missing.

Heartbroken, the Possilpark man walked around the area in vain, trying to locate his pet.

He said: "I have gone into the shop for the paper and a can of juice. I tied the dog to a pole, when I came back out, he was away.

"Somebody has obviously taken him, because the lead I had was ridiculously large for a big heavy dog. It was the only one I could get at the time, so there's no way he could have broken it."

Charlie, who went missing

His owner, Stevie Douglas is heartbroken

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When walking around the city with Charlie, Mr Douglas occasionally leaves him outside shops that don't allow animals, but there have never been any problems before.

He is very upset about the crime but is hopeful his companion will be returned to him.

The dog owner said: "I'm destroyed, I'm in bits, he was my best pal.

"I'm worried sick that I will never get him back but I'm even more worried whoever has him is maltreating him."

The seven-year-old animal is very friendly and gentle, which, according to the 62-year-old, could mean he was an easy target to anyone planning to lead him away.

He added: "Security guards will come and pat him, he's the friendliest big dog.

"He's very friendly, not vicious at all, he would never bite you or anything.

"He would be an easy capture for somebody looking to take him."

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He is seven years old

The pair have been inseparable since around three years ago, when Mr Douglas took Charlie in after his friends had to give him up.

In an effort to find his pet, he contacted Police Scotland, the Scottish SPCA, and received help from friends and family members alike, who were spreading the word online and in the streets.

The dog is also microchipped, which the family hopes will help to retrieve him.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received report of a dog having been stolen from outside a shop on Hope Street, Glasgow, in the evening of Saturday, August 13, 2022.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”