SHOW dog owner Karen Tittle fears that two prize-winning Staffordshire bull terriers stolen from her home could be used for the cruel "sport" of dog fighting.

She is so worried that she has offered a substantial reward for information leading to the animals' return.

Sparky and Layla were taken from kennels at Mrs Tittle's home in Prestwich early on Monday.

Mrs Tittle believes Layla may be used for breeding while the male, Sparky, could be trained to fight by unscrupulous supporters of the bloodthirsty and illegal activity.

Mrs Tittle has been showing dogs for 30 years, but she took a break after the death of her husband, Alf, last September. She was looking forward to getting involved again on the show circuit.

Thieves struck some time after midnight, taking the two terriers from her back garden. She said: "All I can think is that they came over the fence from my neighbours' house as my fence is padlocked. The first I noticed anything was wrong was when I checked on them in the morning and saw that Sparky's gate was pushed in.

"I was just getting back on my feet after everything that has happened in the last 12 months and I was going to start showing again. Now this has happened."

Sparky is white with black markings and has distinctive dropped ears like a boxer, while Layla, a "red", is ginger with white markings on her paws.

Another dog was also outside when the incident took place and two more were inside the house with Mrs Tittle.

She said: "This is the second time I have had dogs stolen. I had two taken in the 1980s from the Birmingham Championship Show and I think they were used for fighting.

"When I got the bitch back she had been used to breed and I never saw the dog again.

"First of all they are pets to me and then they are show dogs. They are the love of my life now my husband has gone and I don't know if I will get them back. All I can do is hope."

Anyone with information should contact Bury Crime Management Unit on 856 8149 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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