Couple pay ransom for stolen pet

Buddy was taken from outside a store in Saltford on 25 September

A couple have paid a dog-napper a £750 ransom to get their stolen pet back.

Buddy, a lurcher, was taken from outside a a Co-op supermarket in Saltford near Bristol seven weeks ago.

His owners, David and Mareth Cornock, received a ransom demand from the dog-napper and agreed to meet him in a car park to buy Buddy back.

Avon and Somerset Police urged victims to contact them rather than give in to blackmailers, which they said made catching thieves "more difficult".

If the ransom is paid, then the offenders will simply move on to their next victim Avon and Somerset Police spokesman

The thief had originally asked for £900 but settled on £750.

The couple said they did not think twice about paying the ransom, but Mrs Cornock said the handover was a frightening experience.

"It was very dark and it was raining," she said.

"David drove round the roundabout and spotted Buddy with the man.

Police have released a CCTV image of a suspect

"I just flew out of the car, called his name, he knew me and I just burst into tears with relief."

A police spokesman said: "Fortunately, dog-napping is not a common occurrence in Avon and Somerset.

"But there have been cases where pets have been stolen and demands have been made for cash in exchange for the safe return of people's pets.

"While we can understand an owner's number one priority is the safe return of their pet, if the ransom is paid, then the offenders will simply move on to their next victim."

Police have released an image of a man they would like to speak to about the incident.

His picture was captured on CCTV inside the store at the time of the snatch.