A dog owner is warning residents to be 'vigilant' with their pets after being confronted by a man acting suspiciously.

The man who wishes to remain anonymous was walking his dog in Langley Mead on Friday, August 20 when a long-haired lurcher approached his dog.

He has also posted a warning on local Facebook group site Reading Dog Owners to warn other pet owners who are taking their dogs for a walk.

The resident was strolling at the bottom of Langley Mead field in Shinfield when he claimed to have been approached by a man, who was left by five of his friends.

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He claimed the man was very focused on talking about his dog, immediately identifying the 'precise breed' and also asked what the dogs age was.

He also asked him whether his dog had been 'done', to which he discovered that the man's dog had been neutered years ago.

Once he was told this, he reportedly walked off towards his group of friends who then dispersed in a way that "looked rehearsed".

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He said: "By this point we reached his friends who had been tightly gathered on the path but dispersed as I passed, in a manner that seemed rehearsed.

"There were four young men and two young women in their late teens. The boys had noticeable jewellery (despite being bare chested or wearing sleeveless tops) and looked like boxers.

"As well as the dog which ran to greet other dog walkers, there was another similar animal which was muzzled and kept on a lead during this encounter.

"The whole thing seemed off and I think my dog and I could have been in real trouble if he'd been younger and/or intact. I could be overreacting and suspecting an innocent group of kids, but I don't think so."

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for more information.