A WOMAN from Harlington is desperate to find her dog after he was taken from her home.

Rachael Horrocks says she returned home at 1.30pm on May 13 to find her front door had been forced open and her dog, Max, a Labrador cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier, had gone.

Max, who is fawn-coloured and aged four, has been Rachael's canine companion since she rescued him from death row a year ago. He was one of the thousands of unwanted dogs that find themselves in pounds and shelters every month.

Rachael said: "I fell in love with Max as soon as I saw him and it was a joy to take him from the rescue centre to his new home with me.

"I do not understand how anyone could be so cruel as to steal him from me. He is my dog and anyone reading this with their pet curled up beside them on the sofa will know how awful I am feeling right now. I just want him home."

Rachael is being helped in her search for Max by volunteers from www.doglost.co.uk, the UK's largest website for lost and found dogs. It relies on the efforts of thousands of volunteers who receive an alert when a dog in their area goes missing. They immediately go to work, searching the streets, checking rescue centres and pounds and supporting the owners.

www.doglost.co.uk founder Jayne Hayes said: "This is, sadly, not an unusual case and we have always been successful in the past at reuniting stolen dogs with their owners.

"Max is a pet, he is microchipped and tattooed and he belongs to Rachael and anyone reading this who has seen him, knows where he is or can help us is urged to come forward so we can get Max home to where he belongs."

Rachael is offering a reward for the safe return of Max, and she can be contacted on 07830 925 748.

To join the search for Max visit www.doglost.co.uk