AN attempted dog napping on Black Down common has prompted a Haslemere pet shop to post a warning to owners with a description of the would- be thieves. This has prompted other people to come forward with similar sitings of a couple seen in the area attempting to distract owners and lure their pets away. The incident has been reported to the police and head warden David Elliott has stepped up patrols on National Trust land in the area. A Haslemere woman was walking her spaniel on the common, on a path through the woods, when she was approached by a man and a woman in their late 30s, both with dark hair. The man had a goaty beard and both are slim to medium build. The owner, who does not want her or her dog's name to be published because she fears her pet may still be targetted, told The Herald: "We were walking on a lower path that not many people use. A lady was in front of me who instantly started trying to call my dog to her. I didn't think anything of it, but as soon as I got past her a man walked out of the hedge and distracted me by chatting. "Three steps afterwards I realised my dog wasn't with me, I turned and the girl had disappeared and all I could see was the man sprinting away along the path. "I blew my dog whisle and I was running after them and I could hear him yelp. When I caught them up they were having a stand-off in the middle of the path, so I just dragged the dog off. "I didn't say anything, as I was so shocked and felt completely vulnerable not being on the main path and there being two of them. It was quite frightening and when I got home I sent off some e-mails to friends and dog trainers and since then I have heard it has happened to other people around Haselmere." Owner of Haslemere Pet Co Claire Goyer, said other customers had told her about being followed by a strange couple who were asking questions about their dogs. Mrs Goyer said: "It was when I heard from (the woman with the spaniel) that I put the notice in the window. A lady came in here later with a Westie and described the same couple. "Then I received an e-mail from a Farmwatch member who said the couple had been spotted on Puttenham Common and that a neighbour had also seen the couple on Liphook Common. "They seem to be targetting women on their own on side paths. All the dogs have been pedigrees," she said. The High Street pet store is urging dog walkers to: l Keep dogs in front and in clear sight when out walking. l Keep to the main paths. l Keep your mobile with you at all times. l Contact police immediately if you see any suspicious activity She added: "Some of our customers have started noting vehicle type and registration in the area before they start their walks. The sheer amount of reports from unrelated customers makes this more than a series of coincidences." Black Down head warden David Elliott, said: "All National Trust Countryside staff in the area have been informed of this incident and have been undertaking extra patrols of the NT properties in the area. However we cannot be everywhere at once and if any member of the public should see anything suspicious I would ask that they report it to the police."
