A MAN who found a dog in Gillingham did not return it to its owner, according to police.

Officers are trying to locate the animal after an incident at around 10pm on Sunday, September 10.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said a member of the public spoke to a man who claimed to have found a dog in the area.

“The man was directed to the address of the dog’s rightful owner,” they said. “However, the owner later reported that the dog was not returned to him.”

READ MORE: Click here for more animal and pet news

Police would now like to speak to a man described as white, of large build and aged in his mid-30s, who may have knowledge of the dog’s whereabouts.

The dog is described as a five-year-old German Shepherd with brown and black fur, called Jessie.

Dorset Police have issued a picture of Jessie, who has gone missing from Gillingham

PC Sebastian Haggett, of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, said: “This has been an extremely upsetting time for Jessie’s owner and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and reunite him with the dog.

“I would like to speak to the man who claimed to have found the dog and I would appeal to him to come forward and aid us with our investigation.

“The owner has agreed to release an image of Jessie and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen her, or have information of her whereabouts, to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, by email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55230146144. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.