'DON'T leave your dog outside overnight' is the message being given to owners following three separate dognapping incidents.

Dog thieves are believed to be operating in the Marlow area. In under a fortnight six valuable working dogs have been stolen in three separate incidents in Marlow, West Wycombe and Seer Green.

Two lurcher bitches, a mother and daughter, were grabbed from a home in Marlow's Berwick Road overnight on July 26.

The owners, who declined to comment on the theft, found two young Irish men looking around their property a few days before they lost their prized pets. The men ran off when challenged.

County councillor Frank Sweatman (Con, Marlow North) said: "I've never heard of anything like this in Marlow before. We have a black Labrador who sleeps on the floor of our bedroom. If they came to take him they would have to take us all."

Cllr Sweatman said: "People who leave their dogs out should not be surprised if they get pinched. It's asking for problems."

In the two other incidents a collie-spaniel cross from Seer Green and a spaniel and two terriers from West Wycombe were taken overnight from secure kennels.

Wycombe District Council is advising anyone with a dog kennelled outside to be vigilant and to step up their security arrangements.

A spokesman for the council said: "Where possible bring the dog inside the house at night or fit a security alarm system or lights to the kennel, along with a strong chain or padlock.

"People could also consider using permanent identification for your dog, for example a micro chip or a tattoo."

The RSPCA and Wycombe District Council are holding a 'Microchipping for Dogs' day in September in High Wycombe and the date is to be announced.