A PONTYPOOL couple fear their beloved pet dog has been stolen for the third time in a year.

Two-year-old terrier Peggy has been missing from her home in Twyn Gwyn for more than a week and her owners are convinced their dog was snatched.

Claire Buckland, 36, and David Perry, 39, (pictured) lost the Border- Lakeland-cross terrier twice last year.

The first time Mr Perry found her near their home being carried away by two teenage boys. The second time she was found wandering the streets of Cwmbran, more than five miles from their cottage in countryside near Pontypool.

Miss Buckland said: "We get a lot of kids up here with airguns hunting for rabbits. Peggy looks like a good working dog and it's possible she was stolen for breeding or for rabbiting.

"But she is not a working dog - she is my baby. She goes everywhere with me and always follows me around the house. We are really missing her and just want her back."

Peggy went missing from the couple's garden on Sunday, August 29. The couple say they are 'devastated' by the loss of their pet.

Miss Buckland said: "She is not one to wander off. She couldn't have escaped because the gate was shut, and if she somehow had got out she would be back soon because she doesn't like to be alone."

The couple have put up posters all over Torfaen and walked the streets of Pontypool asking people if they have seen her.

They have reported their loss to Gwent police as well as local vets and animal sanctuaries, but so far there have been no sightings of Peggy.

"The longer it goes on the worse we feel," said Miss Buckland. "We have a rescue greyhound called Harry. They were pals and he is really missing Peggy, too.

"We just can't believe she has gone again. It seems people take her because of how she looks. It is really upsetting."

Peggy is small, with light-tan colour short wiry hair and was wearing a brown leather collar with studs.