A MASS dog walk in Poole on Saturday aimed to raise awareness of the increasing thefts of man’s best friend.

Despite the blustery weather, around 25 dogs and their owners turned out for a one-mile walk around the lake in Poole Park.

They were taking part in the Murphy’s Army mass dog walk, with similar events taking place in around 40 counties throughout the country at the same time for maximum impact.

Local organiser Angela Harris, who is from Hamworthy, said: “It’s to raise awareness of dog theft across the UK.

“Most of the counties across the UK are holding a walk at the same time.”

The campaign started after Murphy, a Siberian husky, was stolen in Bradford, just before Christmas.

After more than two months of searching he was found in Manchester and reunited with his delighted owner.

Angela said she was delighted with the turnout for The Great Britain Dog Walk, where on display were 15 posters of missing and stolen dogs in the Wessex area.

She said dog owners needed to be more aware of the dangers their pets faced.

“Dogs should be chipped and not left on their own outside shops,” she said.

“Then if anything does happen and they were picked up, they can be recognised and reunited quickly.”

Word is often spread on social media when animals disappear from gardens or an attempted snatch is made.

It has been reported that an attempt was made to snatch a dog in Kinson recently.

Lisa King was taking part in the walk with her two nine-month-old Alaskan Malamute puppies, Arya and Lunar.

Lisa said: “People need to know their dogs are safe.

“We have had so many dog thefts and so many attempted and suspected thefts in Poole and Bournemouth,” she said. “They need to get their dogs micro-chipped and make sure they don’t leave their view.”

Wilko’s in the Dolphin Shopping Centre helped sponsor the event, as did Pets at Home at Wessex Gate and Vets for Pets.

And a representative of the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, based at Church Knowle near Swanage, took part, as it is one of the charities supported this year by the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

It is thought that at least 800 people, walking between them around 2,000 dogs, took part in the events around the country.