Police warn East Sussex residents about dog scam

The first related to a dog that was missing in Guestling on September 7.

Police said the owners of the dog received a call from a man saying he had their pet, and demanded £500 for its return.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said, “He asked if the dog was spayed and that if it was, it was no good to him.

“The couple suspected something was wrong and refused to pay the money. Their dog returned home a few hours later, having gotten lost running in the woods.

“A similar phone call was reported by a woman who was helping a dog owner find her lost dog in Hastings. The man again demanded £500 but no money was handed over.”

PC Liz Daddy, from the rural crime team, said, “In both cases, an appeal to find the dogs has been posted to Facebook with a phone number.