THE WHO pop group went shopping yesterday for a fierce-looking dog to guard their van.

But no sooner had they started looking at Alsatians at London’s Battersea dogs’ home, than someone STOLE the van outside .. plus the £5,000-worth of musical gear in it.

And last night the group were frantically trying to find new equipment for their “live” appearance on ITV’s “Ready, Steady, Go!” show tonight.

“We got the guard-dog idea just too late,” said Ray Tolliday, The Who’s publicity manager.

“All our guitars, drums, and amplifiers were taken.”

The dark-grey van—it is covered with girl fans’ “I love you” messages in lipstick—was parked outside the dogs’ home while road manager Dave Langston, 20, assistant Alan Oates, 19, and production manager Michael Shaw, 21, went in.

Minutes later, they heard it being driven away.

The pop-men raced to the nearest police station.

And the van’s registration number, EUC 414 C, was flashed out on the police radio.

Mr. Tolliday said:

“There has been a series of break-ins and pilfering from the van recently.

“Today, Dave and the other two decided to go to the dogs’ home to get an Alsatian to put an end to the pilfering.

“But they forgot about the dog when they heard the van being driven off!”

Later, The Who groupsinger Roger Daltrey, 20, lead guitarist Peter Townshend, 20, bass guitarist John Entwhistle, 20, and drummer Keith Moon, 18, went back to the home to choose a dog.

They were unlucky—again. There were no Alsatians for sale

● The group’s latest record, “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” reached No. 8 in Britain’s hit charts.