A DOG stolen from outside a supermarket has been found dead.
It is feared she was thrown into a stream by a man who took her away, minutes after her owner tied her up outside Tesco on Northgate, Cleckheaton, last Thursday.
Police mounted a house-to-house search after 12-year-old Jess was reported missing.
But it was not until 3.30pm on Sunday that she was found dead in a beck which runs alongside Mann Dam at Cleckheaton.
Police believe the dog, which suffered from arthritis, was thrown in . A post-mortem has revealed injuries consistent with a fall from a significant height.
Jess, a former rescued dog, was tied up by her 77-year-old owner outside the supermarket while he went to do his daily shop at 6.20pm on Thursday .
A man was seen on CCTV taking the dog and running away with her, down Cheapside, across Bradford Road and towards Booth Street.
He is described as white and in his late teens to early 20s.
He was about 5ft 9in tall and slim, with short brown cropped hair.
He wore a dark, thin jacket, which has a motif on the left chest area.
He also wore a white T-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers.
Acting Sgt Clare Hart, of Spen Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: “This was despicable act which has deprived the owners of a dog which they have looked after for 10 years of their lives.
“Someone has taken advantage of their day to day routine and has left them deeply traumatised as a result.”
Police are working with the RSPCA on the investigation.
Phone Acting Sgt Clare Hart, of Spen Valley NPT, on 0845 6060606.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
Police have issued CCTV footage of the suspect and Jess on Northgate in their bid to catch him.
To watch it visit www.examiner.co.uk
