Shire rangers have a long-standing relationship with SAFE Avon Valley and handed the dogs to the group for veterinary care before the mandatory care of 72 hours were up.

Despite the belief of the dogs’ owners Linda and Rocky Tilbrook of Bakers Hill Dog Refuge – which has been operating for 27 years – that both SAFE and the shire knew who owned the dogs, they received more than normal veterinary care.

They were desexed, microchipped – although one of the dogs had already undergone the latter procedure – and either sold or placed in the hands of foster carers in Perth.

To explain the dogs’ non-reappearance, the most recent explanation given is that, being taken for a walk – apparently without leads – the dogs were panicked by a car’s backfiring and bolted.

Labradors are gun dogs and this explanation is widely disbelieved.

The belief is that the dogs are being shunted from house to house in Perth.

All this has proved enormously embarrassing for SAFE Avon Valley which has in the past met its charter by rehoming animals impounded by the shire which were likely to be put down.

Shire chief executive Neville Hale confirmed that the shire is looking at alternative arrangements for impounded animals.

“In the past the relationship has worked well but what has happened here cannot be overlooked,” he said.

“SAFE Avon Valley has by far exceeded its authority and the Tilbrooks have a case to go to the police to have the dogs recovered.”

For some time the shire believed the dogs were under the control of the RSPCA but this has never been the case.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA believes the claim can be made that the dogs have been stolen.

“We have inspected the Bakers Hill property twice in 12 months and have no problems with it,” she said.