A dog owner has been left devastated after her 13-week-old puppy was snatched while being taken for a walk.

Kalli, a cross between a French bull dog and a pug was stolen in Spring Vale North, Dartford, at 9pm on Good Friday.

Julie Borland was taking her daughter's dog for a walk in Dartford town centre with a friend when they were approached by a young man outside Iceland, who looked about 15 or 16-years-old.

The teenager told her how beautiful Kalli was and asked whether she was a boy or a girl and her breed.

After asking, he lifted her up and "gave her a cuddle", before returning her.

Miss Borland and her friend then continued their walk but became suspicious the teen was following them.

After changing their route the pair lost sight of him and continued to the Sainsbury's car park, which was near Miss Borland's home and only had one van parked in it.

They let Kalli off the lead so she could get some exercise.

"We got around the corner and he came up out of nowhere," Miss Borland said.

Miss Borland called Kalli over, but so did the teenager.

Miss Borland went to grab Kalli but the teen pushed her, grabbing the puppy himself, and running off.

She tried to chase him but he was too fast.

The Dartford resident said: "I'm not stupid, he just came out of nowhere, it happened so fast. He just was a young boy, I thought he was being friendly. I was shaking in the street, I was so upset."

Miss Borland and her daughter are now desperate for Kalli's return, fearing the dog, who is micro-chipped, was stolen to be sold off.

They have reported the theft to the police and an appeal is also being shared widely on Facebook.

Her daughter has been in tears.

"She's just so devastated, she's so in love with that puppy," Miss Borland said.

Kalli is described a "placid, easy-going" pooch.

If you have any information about the theft, contact 07850 459540.

Kent Police has been contacted for comment.

Last month, Kent Online reported how attempted dog snatches across Kent have left owners frightened to walk their pets alone.

It came after one walker was threatened with a stick in Blean Woods, Canterbury, by a man demanding he hand over his dog, Lex.

Fortunately, the thief escaped empty-handed, and with a bite mark for his troubles as Lex protected his owner.

Days earlier, in Chartham Hatch, two men tried to steal a rescue dog being walked in an orchard in Primrose Hill.

But as they attempted to drag three-legged Mishka towards their van, his harness got caught on a tree branch and they were forced to flee.

Reported dog thefts have risen nationally, with the cause attributed to an increase in demand for pets during lockdown and soaring prices for the animals.

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