POLICE have issued advice after thieves attempted to steal a dog in Knowle over the weekend.

A man was walking his dog in the Knowle Road area at around 6.40pm on Saturday when he was approached by two men who attempted to take his dog.

The victim managed to prevent the theft and took the dog to safety.

Police have said that dog theft is "very distressing" for both owner and pet, and have released advice to try and reduce the risk of this type of offending:

- Avoid leaving dogs unattended in parks, empty cars, or tied up outside shops.

- If you wish to let your dog off its lead be vigilant and aware of who is around.

- Always ensure an adult is present when a child is walking the dog.

- For dogs that wear collars, make sure they have an ID tag that clearly displays your contact details. Resist the temptation to put their name on their collar, as thieves could use it to lure them away.

Officers are encouraging people to report any suspicious activity, or dog thefts, to police by calling 101.

If you have any information about this incident, phone 101 with the reference 44210001785.