Dog owners in Edinburgh have been warned to "be on the lookout" amidst fears of dog snatchers near Leith and Portobello.
Dog walkers spotted two men acting suspiciously in a van, thought to be a white Mercedes Sprinter, in the Seafield area near Portobello last week.
The men reportedly used "a whistle to call dogs over" - in what could be an attempt to steal dogs that are not on a lead.
Ref Brzęczyszczykiewicz, who alerted owners and walks his own dogs in the area, said: "Please be on the lookout and keep yourself and your doggies safe."
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he added: "We are preparing laminated leaflets to attach all over Portobello and surrounding areas."
Last week a family pet was snatched from Newhaven near Leith when its owner was subjected to an "appalling" attack.
Police are hunting the culprits but the female Shih Tzu West Highland terrier cross, named Eccles, is yet to be traced.
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