Dog stolen from owner with lung cancer outside shop

An elderly lady’s dog has been stolen from outside a newsagents in north-east Manchester

According to the Manchester Evening News, the woman's Shih Tzu, called Jack, was outside a convenience store in Collyhurst in when he was snatched from his owner, who was inside the shop. In CCTV footage, a man in a black coat is seen running towards a silver Ford Mondeo with the dog, before getting into the car and the driver immediately speeds off, the MEN reported. [caption id="attachment_267834" align="alignnone" width="615"] Jack was stolen from outside a shop (Credit: DogLost)[/caption] The dog's owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Manchester Evening News that she feels devastated about her loss. The 60-year-old suffers from lung cancer, and without the support of a family relied on her dog for emotional support. Having been diagnosed with lung cancer, and without the support of family members, the 60-year-old reportedly received emotional support from her dog, Jack, the MEN reported. Jack's owner is now appealing to anyone who may have taken Jack to return him to a vet, or contact the police, and there will be 'no questions asked', according to the MEN. She told the MEN that her mother passed away three years ago, and she had no siblings. Jack's owner told the MEN: “It was always just me and mum and then Jack came along; he got me out of bed every morning, even on my worst days. “I now have lung cancer and I can't go on without him; I'll die for him. He is my world. I can't eat, I can't drink, I can't sleep. “I love him like a child I never had; I literally can't fight without him," she said. There has sadly been an increase in the amount of dog thefts reported in recent months. A spokesperson for Animal Search, the UK's largest pet missing service, said: "There has been a huge rise in dog thefts reported to us here at Animal Search UK. "Demand has skyrocketed because of lockdown, where people now have more time to spend with their new pets and train them."