A HEARTBROKEN dog owner is appealing for help tracing her pet.

Ziggy the young French bulldog vanished on Saturday while out for a walk in Carlisle.

Owner Jude Thompson fears he has been stolen.

She was walking Ziggy and her Jack Russell, called Magic, out for a walk in the playing fields at Old Harraby when he vanished.

Despite an extensive search, he still hasn't been found.

"Magic ran off into a field with cows, so I was shouting of her," said Jude.

"Ziggy never usually leaves my side. I turned back around, but he was gone.

"It's really unusual for him to run off. I looked everywhere.

"I'm really worried someone has picked him up."

The young bulldog is due to celebrate his first birthday on Halloween.

"He's a lovely natured little dog. I don't know what I'd do without him.

"I've had a really tough year. If I hadn't had him I don't know what I'd have done.

"I just really want to get him back," added Jude.

Cumbria Police are also investigating Ziggy's disappearance, and have issued an appeal for witnesses.

He was last seen in the area of the fields off Blundell Road and Dale End Road at about 1.30pm.

Jude, who has pit up posters across the city, said he is neutered so no good for breeding. He is also microchipped.

She is urging everyone to share his photo in the hope it will prevent him from being sold on.

She added that if anyone has found him and not reported it, they can hand him in to a local vet.

"I've just been trying to get his picture everywhere. I can't thank everyone enough for their help," she added.

Jude can be contacted on 07725 034920.

Anyone with information can also call police on 101, referencing incident 187 of October 22, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.