This is the moment a dognapper snatches a poorly, elderly woman’s Shih Tzu from outside a newsagents in Manchester.
Jack, a male Shih Tzu, was sat outside Bobby’s Convenience Store waiting for his owner on Rochdale Road when he was snatched by an unknown assailant on March 11.
CCTV footage shows the dognapper running away from the shop and towards an awaiting Ford Mondeo on a side road. The incident happened in broad daylight.
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Jack’s 60-year-old owner suffers from lung cancer and relies on her beloved Shih Tzu for emotional support. He still hasn’t been found.
The woman, who doesn’t want to be named, is appealing for anyone who might have Jack to contact Greater Manchester Police – or at least return him to a vet. She wants to welcome him home with ‘no questions asked’.
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Since the news broke a couple of days ago, the CCTV footage has been surfacing on social media and DogLost, the biggest UK dog rescue community, has also got involved.
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Justine Quirk, volunteer media representative for DogLost, said: “Any theft of any dog is cruel and the emotional toll it takes on an owner can be utterly destroying – but in this case, it’s not only affecting her emotionally but medically too.
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“It’s very clear that Jack means everything to her and that’s why we are appealing to anyone that knows where Jack is, to do the right thing and either contact Greater Manchester Police or DogLost so we can get Jack home safely.
“If you have Jack or you were sold him not knowing he was stolen, then please take him to any veterinary practice, say you found him and leave him there safely.
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“They will ensure he is returned. We have very clear CCTV footage of the car and the people involved in Jack’s theft so please do just get in touch.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said that the force is continuing its enquiry into the incident.
Anyone with any information about the theft can contact Jack’s owner’s DogLost representative on 07981090965 or call Greater Manchester Police on 101.
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Millions of unmarried couples to get ‘stronger’ rights and more financial security
Emily Sergeant
Millions of unmarried couples in England are set to get ‘stronger’ rights and more financial security.
As the Government continues to prioritise tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VWAG) and working people, and ultimately meet the needs of modern relationships, more than 3.5 million unmarried couples are to be given more financial security under a new consultation which launched last week (Friday 5 June).
Designed to ‘shape future law’ and ‘better reflect modern society’, the consultation is looking to strengthen rights and make the separation process less financially difficult for cohabiting couples and those who simply choose not to marry.
The Government says it recognises that, due to cost of living pressures, financial security is more important than ever and the current ‘outdated’ system offers unmarried couples who live together limited financial rights if their relationship ends.
The proposals will help couples – including survivors of domestic abuse – gain independence at the end of a cohabitating relationship, whatever their marital status.
The consultation will also explore whether courts should give greater weight to the impact of domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour or economic abuse, when assessing finances for married couples and cohabitants.
Protections for cohabiting couples will also be ‘levelled up’ by giving automatic rights to inherit if their partner dies without a will.
The Government is also proposing making pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding.
Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, says these reforms ‘strike an important balance’ between tradition and modernity.
“When a relationship comes to an end, each partner should have the support and certainty they need to rebuild their life,” he commented. “We’re launching this consultation to make sure our new family law builds a fair system that offers the most vulnerable protection in the event of a breakup, and at a time where the country is facing cost of living pressures.”
Justice Minister Baroness Levitt KC concluded: “Financial independence should “be afforded to everybody – not just those who choose to marry or enter into a civil partnership.”
You can have your say on the consultation on the Government website here.
Police give update after bomb squad descended on Fallowfield and evacuated residents
Emily Sergeant
Police have given an update after officers were called to investigate reports of two ‘suspicious items’ found in front gardens in Fallowfield.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to Abram Close, in the Fallowfield area of Manchester, shortly after 6:05pm this past Saturday (6 June 2026) following a report of a ‘suspicious item’ being found in a front garden, and officers attended the scene alongside the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).
After the EOD made an assessment of the scene, around 20 nearby properties were advised by police to evacuate ‘as a precaution’.
As the investigation continued across the weekend, a second suspicious item was then found outside a property on Rostherne Avenue at around 2:45pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 7 June), and once again, officers and partner agencies attended the scene to put a cordon in place.
As a precaution, several other houses in the area of the second property were also asked to evacuate while this work continues.
No arrests have been made at this time, but enquiries are ongoing.
“We thank everyone for their patience so far whilst we deal with this incident, as our investigation into the full circumstances continues,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Peter Morley, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division.
“Incidents such as these are likely to cause alarm in the local community, but please be reassured that there is no wider threat.
“Officers will be on hand to ensure the safety of people in the nearby area, so please speak to them if you have any concerns. As our work continues, it is vital that anyone who has any information, no matter how small, should report it to us and allow us to investigate.”
Can you help? Any information, CCTV, dash cam, or mobile phone footage can be shared with police online via the LiveChat service at gmp.police.uk, or by calling 0161 856 4259, quoting the log number 1948 of 07/06/26.
Details can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
24th March 2021 
