A HAMPSHIRE river keeper is offering a reward for the safe return of two terriers that fell victim to a dognapper.

Jon Hall, 23, said Brock and Midge disappeared from kennels behind his home at West End and might have been stolen to order.

Mr Hall, who used the dogs for ratting, discovered the theft when he went out to the kennels.

He said: "The neighbouring kennel contained two labradors, one of which was a 14-week-old puppy.

"They'd be worth good money to thieves but weren't touched, which makes me think the terriers were stolen to order."

Now Mr Hall is offering a £500 cash reward for the safe return of Brock and Midge, which he described as family pets as well as working dogs.

"They're very friendly and will go to anyone," he said.

"I've reported the theft to the police but the officer I spoke to didn't seem to think there was much they could do."

Eight-month-old Brock is smooth-coated and chocolate brown in colour. Midge is a one-year-old bitch with a rough coat.

They have now been missing for a week.

Pet owners in the Southampton area have been hit by a series of dog thefts in the past few months.

Four German shepherds owned by Steve Warren were stolen from his home in Empress Road, Southampton, on March 18.

One of the dogs was found dead beside a dual carriageway in Surrey but another was recovered near Alresford. Mr Warren was reunited with the other two animals after they were taken in by a dogs' home in Windsor.

Two men were arrested in connection with the dognapping.

Earlier this month a blue Staffordshire bull terrier worth £1,500 and her three puppies were stolen from a breeder's home in Romsey.