Dog owner told to pay £1,000 or pet will be beheaded after being stolen at knifepoint

A dog held ransom by thieves have told the owner her labradoodle would be beheaded unless she paid £1,000 in a sick prank.

The six-month-old pup, called Waffle, was stolen at what was thought to be knifepoint in St Austell, Cornwall, during a walk on December 23.

Owner Cathryn Hussain said prank text messages are now being sent to her daughter’s phone, demanding cash, Cornwall Live reports.

She said: “Waffle still hasn’t been found. Police are trawling through lots of CCTV and following up leads.

“We’re all just a bit fed up of the prank calls that all seem to go through to my daughter’s phone.

Cathryn Hussain is 'fed up of the prank calls' that are going through to her daughter's phone (BBC)

“We received a text from someone saying they wanted £1,000 or Waffle would be beheaded. Police have traced the person who was a female and not from Cornwall. How dare someone use Waffle’s disappearance to try and make money.

“There was also another text from someone saying their ex stole my dog followed by another message saying they’d actually bought him.”

When Waffle was pinched, Cathryn was approached by a male who she believed to be wielding a knife.

Cathryn's Christmas was a 'wash out' with the family preoccupied with the disappearance of their puppy (cornwalllive WS)

The suspect is described as being around 5ft 8in and was wearing a black, hooded top and scarf, and spoke with a foreign accent.

Officers have been checking local CCTV and making enquiries into the theft of Waffle.

Cathryn added that the family’s Christmas has been “a wash out” and branded those responsible for the prank calls as “sick”.

The family have received calls from people who believe they know what happened to the dog (cornwalllive WS)

Cathryn’s daughter Ayesha has set up a Facebook page called Bring Waffle Home and is using it to post pictures of possible sightings they know not to be Waffle to help with the hunt.

Cathryn added: “We’re grateful for all the people still caring and sharing and we take every lead seriously as all we need is one lucky break to get Waffle home. He’s way too hot to handle and whoever has him won’t be able to take him out for a walk.

“We went for a family walk around Cardinham Woods but my eyes everywhere and whenever I saw a labradoodle I was whispering Waffle’s name.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting log number 0116 231219.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org