Warning to dog owners as police hunt three men who tried to snatch Golden Retriever from man in West Lothian street

Police are hunting three men who tried to steal a dog from a man who was out walking his pet in a West Lothian street.

Officers said two of the men walked past the 62-year-old - who was walking his Golden Retriever – and then one stopped and attempted to grab the dog’s lead in Longcroft Gardens, Linlithgow, at about 10pm on Friday May 15th.

The walker managed to get away with his dog and left in the direction of Falkirk Road.

The incident happened in Longcroft Gardens, Linlithgow, on Friday night.

Inquiries are ongoing and police are keen to speak to anyone who may have information.

In particular, they are keen to speak to anyone who may be able to identify a man described as being white, in his mid-20s, around 5ft 10in tall and slim build with short dark hair. He was wearing a grey long sleeved top, blue jeans and spoke with a local accent.

Detective Constable Lynn Myles, of West Lothian CID, said: "Fortunately the man was not injured but he was left shaken by this unsettling incident.

"I would urge anyone who may have seen or heard a disturbance in the Longcroft Gardens areas on Friday around this time to let us know.

"I would be particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have private CCTV to review their footage and pass on anything of note to us.

"Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting incident 4243 of 15 May, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”