THE owners of a missing dog are trying to trace a driver who they believe may have picked up their pet with the intention of taking it to the RSPCA.

Nelly, a much-loved six-year-old Jack Russell, escaped from the garden of her home in Foxwood Lane, York, on Saturday.

The dog’s owner George Barclay said a neighbour later told him she saw the driver of black Citroen C1 pick Nelly up and put her in his car after promising to take the animal to the RSPCA. However, Nelly has not been seen since.

Mr Barclay said: “A neighbour said Nelly ran out in the road but didn’t get hit by the car. She just sat down in the road.

“She said the driver stopped and said he would take her to the animal re-homing centre in Landing Lane, because the neighbour didn’t know who she belonged to.

“We have rung kennels in the area and the RSPCA and none of them have had any dogs in matching her description.”

Mr Barclay, 23, said: “Our son left the gate open by accident and he’s really upset. She’s a much-loved family pet.”

Nelly is light coloured with a dark face and a distinctive dark patch on right-hand-side.

If you have information, phone 07565 776556.