An investigation was launched after the pet dogs were also taken
The van was stolen beside the retail park in Rawtenstall(Image: Google Maps)
An urgent search was launched after a van was stolen near a Greater Manchester retail park with the owner’s three dogs still inside. Police were called to reports of the theft on Tuesday morning (January 13).
It was reported that the vehicle had been stolen from Swanney Lodge Road, beside the New Hall Hey business park and retail park, at around 11.24am, with the owner’s three dogs still inside. The vehicle was a burnt orange Ford Transit.
A post from the owner quickly went viral on social media, with over 7,000 shares following the incident. The post read: “PLEASE HELP!!! My van has been stolen from New Hall Hey industrial estate, Rawtenstall this morning at 11am.
“ALL THREE DOGS ARE IN THE VAN. Two cockers and a Weimaraner. That have no collars on.”
Lancashire Police later confirmed an investigation had been launched into the incident to trace the vehicle and reunite the dogs with their owner. It was later confirmed by the owner on social media that the van and dogs had been traced by around 7pm elsewhere in Lancashire.
At the time a statement from Lancashire Police said: “We received a report of a theft of a motor vehicle on Swanney Lodge Road in Rawtenstall at 11:24am today. It was reported that three dogs were in the van when it was stolen.
“Enquiries to locate the van and reunite the dogs with their owner are ongoing. The van is described as a burnt orange Ford Transit.” It has not been confirmed whether any arrests were made in connection with the incident.