FOOTBALL yobs have been blamed for dog-napping a family pet and driving him 200 miles from home.

Liverpool fans are thought to have snatched Shearer the spaniel from his Newcastle home two weeks ago. The gang dragged him to a minibus and dumped him on Merseyside.

But an animal-lover who spotted the pet being kicked by a gang of youths stepped in and saved his life.

Caroline Crabb, from St Helen's, said: "It was the day Liverpool had played Newcastle at St James' Park and I went to Runcorn with my friend.

"Just outside the pub we were in was this little springer spaniel. It kept trying to go in and was being thrown out each time. I assumed its owner was in there. After a while though, it all seemed a little strange so I went outside to see if I could find the owner.

"When I got out there, I saw a group of lads kicking the poor thing in the car park so I shouted to them to stop and lied, saying I was from the RSPCA. A girl said they had stolen it from a street in Newcastle."

Ms Crabb is now trying to find the dog's owners. She said: "I have rang around radio stations, the TV and the newspapers, hoping one of them would have heard something but I have had no luck."

Anyone who thinks the spaniel might be theirs can call the Northern Echo newsdesk on (01325) 505054.