Cocker spaniel puppy, Otis, 'stolen' from Cotswold farm

Otis, a cocker spaniel with a heart-shaped patch on his side, went missing nearly a month ago from a farm in Hidcote, near Chipping Campden.

The family is devastated and firmly believe Otis was 'picked up and stolen' but remain hopeful that they will be reunited in time for Christmas, even offering a reward for his safe return. 

Ian Letts and Otis (Image: Ian Letts)

Ian Letts, Otis's owner, said: "As you can imagine this is a living nightmare, our house is empty and our hearts even more so.

"On November 5 we were on the farm and he is a farm dog as well as a family member so he was a couple of fields away whilst we were feeding the sheep. 

"We called him and he didn't come back but that is not unusual because he sometimes goes off a few hundred yards away. 

"We moved to another field, called him, nothing. 

"Then we went back to the farm buildings and often he would get there before we would but he wasn't. 

"We kept expecting him to turn up but he didn't come back. 

"We waited around 30 minutes and then we went looking but there was no sign of him. 

"There was a very thick fog that day and we believe he might have wandered off the farm near Hidcote Gardens Car Park where he has been picked up."

Otis (Image: Ian Letts)

Otis has not been seen since November 5. 

His disappearance has been reported to the police.

A day later the family used an infrared drone which flew "over a big area" but found no sign of Otis.

Mr Letts continued: "He wouldn't have run off, he knew where he was and we've looked everywhere. 

"We are just devastated, we are looking all the time and just hoping every time the phone rings.

"Although he was out on the farm he was very much a house dog as well, he was always sitting in front of the fire and liked a fuss.

"We have still got three weeks until Christmas and we want to have him back. 

"Please if anyone spots him or knows where he is, get in contact with us."

A Facebook group has since been set up to find Otis.

A spokesperson from Gloucestershire Police said: "Police received a report that a dog had potentially been stolen from a farm in Chipping Campden.

"It was reported that the dog, a Spocker Spaniel breed, has free roam of the farm and was last seen on 1 November.

"Enquiries were conducted however at the time there is no evidence to identify a suspect."

If you have any information, police have asked to get in touch quoting crime reference number CR/0044242/24.