A FAMILY fear a tiny Yorkshire terrier that went missing from a Cowley home has been stolen.

Martyn Finch has appealed for help after his stepfather's dog disappeared from outside a flat in Between Towns Road.

The dog, which he described as a 'toy' Yorkshire terrier 'no bigger than a pint glass on its side', vanished on Sunday night between 10pm and 11pm.

Mr Finch said his stepdad Tom Jones returned to his home and let his two dogs out for some fresh air on the balcony.

The nine-year-old terrier then ran down the outside stairs - which he said was out of character - onto Barns Road.

Mr Finch, who lives in Risinghurst, said: "She is so small and timid, she hasn't ran off - she has been stolen.

"She was my mum's dog. My mum died and my stepdad was left on his own - she is all he's got of hers left.

"He is distraught - we just want her found."

Despite 71-year-old Mr Jones chasing after his dog in his dressing gown, it had already disappeared.

His flat is located at the back of Templars Square shopping centre, but despite a frantic search of the area and surrounding estates into the early hours of the morning, the dog was nowhere to be found. 

Mr Finch has reported the suspected theft to police and to the Doglost Oxfordshire Facebook group, and appealed to anyone who might have seen the dog on Sunday night.

He described the small Yorkshire terrier as 'scruffy' with black and brown fur, streaked with silver and dark blue. 

The owner does not have a recent photo of the dog but said it looks very similar to that pictured above.

He asked for the dog's name to be withheld, in case it helped the alleged thief to win her trust.

Anyone with information can email us.