A MAN who stole a woman’s Jack Russell in Oxford says he will kill the dog unless he gets a £150 ransom.

Kerri Nicholas was searching for one-year-old Bella in Headington after she went missing when she spotted a note in a newsagents in Grays Road claiming the pup had been found.

But her relief soon turned to disbelief when she rang his number.

A man calling himself Richard demanded she hand over £150 or the dog would be killed.

Police confirmed they are investigating, tracing the number and treating the case as blackmail.

Miss Nichols, of Valentia Road, Headington, said: “I feel I’m running out of time. He might sell her or kill her. I don’t know what to do. Someone must know something.”

Mother-of-three Miss Nichols said the man, who said his name was Richard, was initially polite and friendly.

But she said his manner soon became menacing.

Miss Nichols said: “It’s so bizarre, so stupid.

“I’m worried he has done this to other people and they have paid him.”

She added: “I hope being in the paper might shame him into bringing her back.

“She’s part of the family and we miss her. Please bring her back.”

Bella has ginger and white markings, is short-haired and was wearing a black flea collar.

Police have warned Miss Nichols not to call the man again in case he demands more money.

She said: “I don’t have £150, if I did I probably would have paid it to get her back. I miss her because she’s really affectionate and she likes to be cuddled.

“She sleeps on my bed and her sister Teff curls up with her. Teff has been whining every day since she’s been gone because they’ve never been apart.”

Maggie Whalley, a warden at the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, in Stadhampton, said she was not aware of any reports of thieves stealing people’s pets and then trying to blackmail them.

Police spokesman Chris Kearney said officers were treating the incident as blackmail.

He said: “This was reported to us and we are investigating.

“This type of incident is extremely unusual, and we would urge anyone with any information to come forward.

“We are looking to trace the man who left his telephone number with the shop owner in Grays Road.”

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.