A Raglan family are issuing an appeal this Christmas to help find their dog who has been missing since September.

Elin Sommer’s Springer Spaniel cross Toby has been missing since Saturday September 25, when he got out from the family garden in Bryngwyn near Raglan.

Elin’s other dog Poppy also got out but returned ten minutes later.

Elin said: "We are now sure Toby has been stolen and it was during a very narrow window of 15-20 mins on Saturday 25th September from 17:10-17:30.

’’She was taken from Bryngwyn, Raglan, South Wales.

"His dog sister, Poppy, is howling every time someone comes in an unknown car, so we think she saw what happened."

Toby is a six-year-old brown Springer Spaniel cross, who looks a bit like a chocolate Labrador but with a white chest.

He was wearing a brown leather collar with an ID tag, and is both microchipped and neutered.

Elin and her family have issued several appeals for information on social media, contacted numerous missing dogs websites including DogLost UK and Missing Dogs Team Wales and have even set up the Facebook page Find Toby to help them find their dearly loved pet.

Speaking about Toby, Elin said: "Toby was a rescue pup, he had to be taken from his Mum at a very young age. He was fostered so we had him when he was nine weeks old.

"Toby grew up with our son, Thomas and they are best friends. Toby will choose playing with the kids over having treats, he is always where the action is. ’’

He is also very clever and has always been a character, he definitely has a strong personality and he had started talking to us by pressing buttons."

The family have also been in contact with Drone SAR for Lost Dogs UK, a missing dogs group set up by Graham Burton in 2017 that uses drones to help find missing dogs.

The group now has nearly 50,000 members.

Elin and her family are offering a £500 reward for information that can lead to Toby’s safe return, and are urging anyone who may have any information regarding his whereabouts or what may have happened to him to get in contact immediately.

Elin added: "We just want Toby home again. He is missed so badly and losing him has been incredibly upsetting for the whole family and has caused many sleepless nights and lots of tears.

’’We are so worried about him and we know he will be missing us and his best dog friend, Poppy."

Anyone who may have any information on Toby or his whereabouts please contact the family on 07976 625379 or 07775 637289 or call Dog Lost on 0844 800 3220.