Joel Banks, 33, described Ghost as his ‘best friend’ (Picture: Jam Press)

A devastated dog owner says his pet was stolen from him after he collapsed on the street.

Joel Banks, says his Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, called Ghost, was taken from him as he was being loaded onto an ambulance stretcher.

The 33-year-old had been walking his dog in Lewisham, south London, close to his home in Catford, when he suddenly collapsed to the ground unconscious.

A passer-by quickly called the ambulance and paramedics arrived at the scene on November 8.

Two men walked by and claimed they were ‘good friends’ of Joel’s and would look after Ghost – who is worth £5,000.

Joel was treated in hospital for a day but when he was released no one could tell him where his dog was.

He has now reported the incident to police who are investigating.

Joel has had Ghost since he was a little puppy (Picture: Jam Press)

When Joel was discharged from hospital nobody knew where Ghost was (Picture: Jam Press)

In a desperate plea to find Ghost, he said: ‘Ghost is my best friend and my whole world. I’m absolutely devastated.

‘I’ve had him since he was a few weeks old and he goes everywhere with me.

‘I have been going door-to-door ever since trying to find him.

‘I have trained him to be so obedient, but worry now that he’s in the wrong hands and made to be aggressive.’

Police are investigating his disappearance (Picture: Jam Press)

Ghost’s other owner, Alice Richards, posted on a local Facebook group in the hope of finding him.

She said: ‘Please help us make him too hot to handle as we just want our little boy home.

‘He suffers with separation anxiety and hasn’t spent a day without us since and we are devastated.’

The Metropolitan Police issued the following statement: ‘Police are investigating an allegation of theft after it was reported that a dog was stolen from outside a pub in Downham Way, Lewisham, on the evening of Tuesday, November 8. 

‘No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.’

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‘Ghost is my best friend and my whole world. I’m absolutely devastated.’