HIT and run victim Stephen Stiles has had his pet dog stolen.

The blow comes just weeks after receiving a setback in his battle back to full fitness.

Mr Stiles and his wife, Zoe, who live in Bailey Close, Bishops Cannings, are devastated at the loss of Molly, a pedigree Irish greyhound.

The couple bought two-year-old Molly a year ago from a greyhound rescue centre in Cardiff.

She was rescued after she did not make the grade as a racing dog.

Since Mr Stiles was seriously injured in a road accident in May this year Molly had been living with Mrs Stiles' parents at their home in Bunnies Lane, Rowde.

Mr Stiles said Molly was stolen when his parents-in-law went out for a couple of hours on November 9. She was left in the back garden behind a seven foot high fence and wrought iron gate.

Mr Stiles, who celebrates his 32nd birthday today, said: "Molly was unable to get out of her own accord so someone must have stolen her. We have reported it to the police."

Molly was staying with Mrs Stiles' parents because she would sometimes knock against the frame attached by pins to Mr Stiles' right leg and cause him more pain.

Mr Stiles, who faces another operation on his right leg and 12 months of rehabilitation, said the theft of Molly had topped off a bad year for him and his wife.

He said: "It goes from bad to worse for us. Molly is a lovely dog. She was quite timid to start off with but she is friendly.

"It's not fair for someone to take a dog out of a loving home and take her God knows where. She has already suffered as a puppy, that is why she was rescued.

"Zoe and I are upset about it and so are Zoe's parents. Her mum in particular had become very attached to Molly," he said.