A MISSING dog might be in Oxford after it was stolen from a Sainsbury’s car park.

Roly the Springer Spaniel had been left in a van while his owners went to do their shopping at the Kidderminster branch, in Worcestershire, on May 15.

An eyewitness said the van was broken into, and that Roly was bundled into Honda Civic before being driven away at speed.

West Mercia Police Force believe that a gang of professional dog thieves are responsible for the theft because it seemed quick and well-planned.

Read here: Meet the Oxford entrepreneur who says 'pants' to period poverty

Roly's owner, Peter Wolfe, who is a semi-retired forester, was alerted by a Sainsbury’s security guard that his van had been broken into.

After contacting the police about the incident, the owners found that the same car had been spotted the day before in the Thames Valley Police area.

The same car was then spotted once again on May 16 in the ‘Oxford area’, with false number plates on.

Roly is a male springer spaniel, of liver and white colour.

He is microchipped and has not been seen since he was stolen from the Sainsbury’s in Kidderminster.

Read here: Old beagle missing after bolting from Oxford home - can you help?

Stephanie Wolfe, who is a retired teacher, said: “We are heartbroken and we want him back.

“We just want him to be treated kindly, he’s seven years old, he’s been neutered so would not be good for breeding and he’s a pet - not a working gun dog.

“The first thing I’d do when I woke up would be to walk Roly, so now I have no structure.

“He also used to accompany Peter. The dog was his mate and kept him company while at work - he misses him.”

People from all over the country have pulled together on social media to help find Roly, who is also known to some as Rolo.

A missing appeal on social media site Facebook has been shared over 5,800 times.

If you have seen Roly, please contact 07401046295.