Man tries to steal dog walker's pet in West Kingsdown

A man out walking his dog in Kent was hit in the face by an attacker who tried to steal his pet.

The victim, in his 70s, was in Oaklands Close, West Kingsdown, near Sevenoaks, on Tuesday when a man approached him and commented on how nice his dog was.

He then tried to grab the animal, a Shih-tzu/Maltese Terrier cross, and hit the victim in the face before running off towards Hever Road empty-handed.

The attacker was in his 20s and was wearing a high-visibilty jacket.

Det Con Neil Martin from Kent Police said: "This incident came as a complete surprise to the victim who was very shaken by what happened.

"But fortunately he doesn't seem to have suffered any lasting injury."

Police want anyone with information about what happened to come forward.