A Barnes family fears their beloved family pet has been stolen for “dog fighting” after two men in a white van took him from the street.

Ace, a two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was in the back garden when the bin men came and, the family said, accidentally left the gate open.

Ace was out on Verdun Road when a witness was approached by two men who asked her if she owned the dog. When she said no they said they “needed to take him to the vet” and drove off in the van.

CCTV footage captured the number plate of the van but a police search found the van was stolen.

Owner, Lauren Campbell, said the ordeal has been “horrible”.

The 24-year-old said: “The whole family is just distraught.

“Ace is really friendly so he would have just gone with them.

“He’s not neutered and needs medication for allergies.

“There’s been dog fighting reported in Bushy Park and we think that’s why he was stolen.

“He’s really sweet and not that kind of dog.

“We just want him home.

“We have had him since he was a baby, he’s older than my son.

“Ace is part of the family.”

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Police in Twickenham are investigating the theft of a dog from Verdun Road.

“Two men in a white van were seen to take a dog at 1.30pm on October 31.”