Animal lovers can help catch the thieves who stole a rescue dog and left her to die on a roadside.

Seven-month-old Border collie Jess was taken from the kitchen of her home in Ringmer, near Lewes. It is believed she was then thrown from a fast-moving car and killed.

Police suspect the pedigree was stolen for breeding but dumped when an identity tattoo was discovered in her ear.

The incident has appalled the dog training world, prompting organisers of a web site to set up an online reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

Anyone who visits the Obedience UK web site can donate to the reward fund.

A Sussex businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has already donated an undisclosed, substantial sum. Other online donations now total about £2,000.

Jess's owner, Geoff Parkinson, 36, has been touched by the generosity of those who have made pledges.

He said: "When Jess died it ripped my life apart. I would do anything to make sure the people responsible are caught and, if this reward helps, it has to be a good thing."

Jess came from a long line of pedigrees bred at Corie Collies in Lewes and her parents were Crufts winners.

Owners Sean and Janet Hamilton-Bradbury, who sold Jess to Mr Parkinson, helped set up the reward fund by posting a message on the web site's forum.

Mr Hamilton-Bradbury said: "Somebody somewhere must have seen what happened to Jess. We want to do everything possible to help find these people and if a financial incentive is what is needed, so be it."

Mr Parkinson, station commander at Uckfield and Hailsham fire station, is a volunteer with response team Rapid UK, which is called to countries hit by natural disasters.

He was The Argus Local Hero of the Year 2002 for his work rescuing children from an earthquake in India.

Jess had been in training to be a rescue dog with the group and Mr Parkinson is hoping to set up a fund in her memory, run in conjunction with Rapid UK.

The project would pay for the training of dogs in disaster-prone countries.

He said: "Jess was a very special dog. Not only was she part of our family, she also had huge potential as a rescue dog. I can think of no better way of commemorating her than by training more dogs to help save lives."

Anyone with information about the theft should call PC Greg Brown on 0845 6070999. To donate to Rapid UK, write to Beech Lodge, Jacobstowe, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 3RG. To donate to the reward fund, visit www.obedienceuk.com Mandi Oliver, 33, who owns Jess's brother Risky, is running the reward fund from her home in Lincolnshire.

She said: "People from as far afield as Scotland and Wales have been making pledges."