Conman demands Hastings dog owners pay £500 for safe return of their pets

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

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

A police spokesman 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.”