Owner of dog stolen in Cornwall told to pay £1,000 or Waffle will be beheaded
The owner of a dog stolen at knifepoint has received a prank message saying her dog would be beheaded unless she paid £1,000.
Cathryn Hussain said her Christmas had been "a wash out" of "sick" prank calls about her dog.
Five days before Christmas, Waffle, a six-month-old labradoodle, was stolen in St Austell while owner Cathryn took him for a walk in the Belmont road area.
Cathryn said she was approached by a male holding what she believed to be a knife.
The suspect was wearing a black, hooded top and scarf and spoke with a foreign accent.
Sergeant Steve White from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "The family of Waffle are very distraught and upset at the callous theft of their pet dog.
“Myself and all of the officers at the police station dealing with this crime also feel very sad for the family over what is a cruel and mean-spirited crime, especially during the Christmas period."
Officers have been checking local CCTV and making enquiries into the theft of Waffle.
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting log number 0116 231219.