MYSTERY still surrounds the theft of two pedigree greyhound bitches from a Purton racing kennels.

Zidane a 17-month-old jet-black bitch with HAV6 tattooed on her right ear and Theresa's Jewell, a white and brindle greyhound with BRD6 on her right ear, were taken on Monday night from Kennels at The Pry, Downfield Farm.

The dogs, which are said to be worth thousands of pounds, were stolen from the premises of highly regarded professional greyhound racer Quentin Bevan who only noticed the theft on Tuesday morning.

Three-year-old Theresa's Jewell had been due to race at the Abbey Stadium in Blunsdon on Wednesday night. She was an experienced bitch who had won many races.

Mr Bevan, 61, said: "It has been an extremely upsetting episode for me very annoying."

Thieves smashed their way into the kennels, but ignored scores of other dogs before taking the two bitches and making off in a vehicle.

They could have been stolen to order to be used in hare coursing which is illegal but remains a popular pursuit in the south west or to run at unlicensed tracks.

Ryan Ockwell, 21, assistant race manager at Blunsdon's Abbey Stadium, said these were the most likely reasons for the theft.

He said: "Greyhounds require a high degree of looking after to get them race fit it's a full-time job.

"I think this was an opportunist theft not professional thieves. They wouldn't be looking to sell them on, but probably use them for coursing or at unlicensed tracks."

Wiltshire police spokesman, Steve Coxhead, said: "The theft of dogs does cause enormous concern and distress for the owner and we are taking this incident very seriously indeed.

"There have been a number of dog thefts in recent months and while we are not linking them specifically we don't rule this possibility out. There is nothing to indicate these dogs were stolen to order."

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the dogs is urged to contact Cricklade police on 01793 750207.

Giles Sheldrick