A HEARTBROKEN family who had their precious dog stolen say they have been approached by cruel scammers who’ve claimed to have their pet.

Owner Clare Palmer says her youngest child is still crying every day over the loss of their two-year-old Dachshund, Louie, who was snatched by a thief in Southend in November.

The family say they have been through hell as they have had prank calls from scammers claiming to have their pet.

But when arriving to collect him - neither Louie or anyone in his place has been found.

Clare, 38, from Southend, said the family have been overwhelmed by the love and support they’ve had since setting up their Help Find Louie Facebook page.

She added: “The support has been absolutely phenomenal but we have had prank calls from people saying ‘I’ve got him and I’ll meet you here’ and then they’re just not there. It is upsetting for us.

“We just want our dog home, someone must know something. It’s been 13 weeks now and we’ve not heard a thing.

“It has been horrendous for my family, even now I don’t sleep worrying where he is or what’s going on. My youngest whose 13 cries every day hoping he will come home.”

Read more:

Young girl creates heartbreaking poster amid new appeal to find her stolen dog

'A127 will not face congestion charge... as long as Fortune of War is straightened'

Revealed: Basildon and Thurrock Councils set to explore unitary authority merge

The pooch had escaped from his home near Lavender Mews and eventually made his way onto the A127.

Louie was then chased by a man who had jumped out of a white transit van and was eventually caught by a passer-by. Thinking that the man chasing him was the owner, he handed Louie over.

Now, in a bid to make it harder for those with bad intentions to sell on pets, the family are backing a petition to introduce a National Pet Exchange Register.

This would make it an offence to advertise a dog or cat for sale or to give them away without due registration.

Clare added: “If you have livestock you have to have the correct paperwork to prove ownership, before you can sell cows or pigs and animals like that.

“But the same documentation doesn’t apply for a dog or your pets. And so this will make it harder for people up to no good to sell them on.”

Louie was stolen on November 12, between Rochester Drive and Queen Anne’s Drive.

To sign the petition, visit here.