Police have condemned an "appalling" attack by thieves who a.s.s.a.u.l.ted a 20-year-old man and stole his dog.
The victim was attacked by a man while walking his Shih Tzu Westie cross, Eccles, on Newhaven Place in Edinburgh at about midnight on Wednesday.
A second man emerged from a grey car and joined in the attack, before they walked the victim to Glenarm Place.
He was then threatened by a third man who stole his phone and the dog, before attacking him again.
The three men then escaped in the grey car, similar to a Vauxhall Corsa.
'Completely unacceptable'
Det Insp Graham Grant said: "This was an appalling attack on a young man, which has resulted in him being traumatised and losing his family's dog.
"This level of violence is completely unacceptable in our communities and we are eager to trace the three men responsible for this attack as soon as possible."
He urged anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack to get in touch with any information that might help the police inquiries.
He said the stolen dog was grey with a white underside, and was wearing a sparkly baby pink collar. Eccles also has a scar from a recent operation.
Covered face
Police have described the first attacker as white and aged between 30 and 40.
He was about 5ft 9in to 6ft tall, with a stocky build and was wearing a black jacket with a white logo on the left sleeve, black trousers, black shoes and a black beanie hat. He spoke with a Glaswegian accent.
The second attacker is described as being about 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in, with a slim build.
He was wearing a black long-sleeved top, black trousers with a white stripe and white logo on the left leg and a black balaclava - or hat and scarf - covering his face.
The third attacker was aged between 20 and 30, with a medium build and short dark hair. He was wearing a dark grey long-sleeved top with black sides, black joggers and red trainers.
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