A dog owner in Fife is warning others after she woke to find a yellow cable tie, which could be used as a marker for would-be thieves, attached to her fence.
The Glenrothes woman, who does not want to be named, told Edinburgh Live that the incident happened sometime between Monday night and 7am on Tuesday morning (17-18 February).
Aware that similar methods have been used by thieves to mark out homes with pets, the woman alerted the police.
Officers reportedly advised her not let the dogs off the lead, have someone accompany her on walks and to not leave them alone in the garden.
Taking to social media to warn others, she said: "The Police have asked me to make Lost Dogs Scotland aware.
"Keep an eye out as this was put on my fence last night/this morning between 10.30 last night and 7am this morning 18/02/20.
"Dogs will not be outside without me or someone else (this was placed on a part of the fence which can be seen from the road)."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers in Glenrothes received reports around 2.45pm on Tuesday, 18 February of cable ties having been put onto the fence of a property in the Balbirnie area.
"The incident happened sometime during the night between Monday, 17 February and Tuesday, 18 February.
“No crime has been established and suitable advice was given.
“Anyone who notices this type of incident in the area should contact police on 101.”
Last year a female Shih Tzu West Highland terrier cross,named Eccles, was stolen in an appalling robbery in Newhaven and is yet to be traced.
