A BOY has made a heartfelt plea for the return of his dog, which was stolen while he took it for a walk.

The 13-year-old was walking Prada, a 14-week old Staffordshire bull terrier, along Raeburn Road, in Edgware on Sunday last week (August 20)when two young men approached him.

One asked to talk to him and a struggle broke out during which the other man snatched the dog. The men drove off with the animal in a silver Vauxhall Corsa with a number beginning PX02.

The boy said: "I used to walk Prada every day. I miss her and really really want her back."

Staffordshire bull terriers, a breed of fighting dog, have become the latest dogs to be targeted by thieves due to their high value.

This is the fourth such incident to be reported locally in the last six months.

DS Richard Tobias, of Harrow police said: "This is an uncommon crime but it is one that is certainly on the increase.

"People need to be more vigilant if they have this breed.

"I would ask parents to think carefully before letting their children walk these pets.

"Two dogs which were stolen and later recovered both showed signs of having been involved in fighting."

One of the the men who stole Prada was black, about 18 and 5ft10. Coincidentally, he was wearing a black Prada jacket and Nike Air Max 95 trainers.

The other man was white, about 19 and wearing a white jacket, blue jeans and a white New Era baseball cap.

Anyone with information about Prada should call the robbery squad on 020 8733 5407.