British Superbike champion appeals for missing dog (From This Is Local London)

British Superbike champion appeals for missing dog

4:20pm Tuesday 21st August 2012 in Where I Live

British Superbike champion Tommy Hill is calling for the safe return of his family's dog after he was stolen yesterday.

Thieves unknowingly stole the old tyme bull dog puppy, which is micro-chipped, when they drove off in Mr Hill's father Mick's white van in Shirley, Croydon.

The Hill family are offering a "substantial reward" for the safe return of the four-month-old dog.

The 27-year-old said: "Some people are closer to their dogs than others, but we are pretty close to ours. Hopefully with the power of Twitter and the media we will find him."

The racer, who was crowned champion last year, said his Dad, who works on a construction site, was forced to return to work today with no tools as they were also in the stolen Volkswagen van (registration GK58 NLG).

He added: "At the moment we are all just trying to make ends meet."

The dog, who has a distinctive black mark under his right eye, was taken at around 12pm on Monday. For the last two months he has travelled in the van to Mr Hill's work place.

Mr Hill's brother, Jimmy, 23, said: "It would be good to get him back - God yeah. He is part of the family."

Anyone with any information should call 07769327950.