POLICE are appealing for the public’s help after a 13-week-old Staffordshire terrier puppy was stolen during a burglary at a house in Oswaldtwistle.

Around 1.50am on Saturday 8 March, a man entered an address on Union Road whilst the occupants were asleep upstairs and stole the black and white puppy.

The puppy, called Sniff, was wearing a lilac coloured collar which contained several metal shaped bone pendants.

It is believed the man who stole Sniff was in Rinos Takeaway before he entered the property and stole the puppy, which he then carried down Blackburn Road towards Accrington town centre.

The man is then believed to have got a taxi to Westwood Street behind the Aldi supermarket.

Officers have carried out a number of enquiries in and around the local area to try and identify the man responsible who is believed to be of a large build, aged mid to late 30s with short dark hair which is shaved shorter on the sides.

He was wearing a dark coloured jacket, jeans, white trainers and a grey t-shirt with a motive across the chest and spoke with a Scottish accent.

Police are now keen to speak with a man captured on CCTV and are appealing for anyone who might know him to come forward.

PC Mark Nutter said: “We are desperately trying to locate the puppy so that it can be safely returned to its rightful owner. We believe the person responsible for taking Sniff has tried to sell the puppy to a number of people.

“I would appeal to anybody that has been offered Sniff for sale or knows where she is to contact police.

“I would also like to speak with anybody who can identify or recognises the man in the CCTV images.”

Anyone with any information that could assist with our investigation is asked to contact police on 101.