A ST NEOTS family has been left heartbroken after their family pet – one of the smallest dog breeds in the world – disappeared from their front garden. It is believed that Luca, the pint-sized puppy, slipped under a fence panel at his home in Duck Lane, E

A ST NEOTS family has been left heartbroken after their family pet - one of the smallest dog breeds in the world - disappeared from their front garden.

It is believed that Luca, the pint-sized puppy, slipped under a fence panel at his home in Duck Lane, Eynesbury, and has not been seen since.

Since Luca's disappearance on the evening of April 28, the Crotch family have been conducting a search, putting up posters and knocking on doors.

Karen Crotch, 37, said: "It has hit us all really hard. We have lost a part of our family.

He has never escaped before and we are all missing him very much."

Helping the family's search is an online charity - www.doglost.co.uk, that works to reunite lost and stolen dogs with their owners. The charity, which claims to have reunited 4,000 members with their missing dogs, said Luca is the smallest dog it has ever been asked to find.

Founder Jayne Haye said: "We were stunned when Luca's details came in. More than 9,000 dogs have been registered on this site and none of us have ever seen such a tiny pup."

Wood Green Animal Shelters has been notified, but Mrs Crotch believes Luca, who weighs only 3lbs and is about 12 inches long and six inches tall, has been picked up by a passer-by.

"He must have been picked up by someone and taken in as he is cute and friendly and anyone who saw him walking down the road wouldn't be able to resist taking him home."

The loss is hitting the Crotch children - Romany, 13, and Judd, 10 - the hardest as Luca used to sleep on their bed.

Mrs Crotch said: "The children adorned him. They have been left very upset because he is not at home."

The family brought Luca, who is a Maltese and Chihuahua cross, when he was eight weeks. He is fawn in colour, has large ears and a darker spot of fur on his neck.

They are appealing for anyone with information about Luca's whereabouts to come forward so that he can be reunited with his family. Mrs Crotch added: "We will not be angry if someone has taken him home, we wouldn't blame them as he is so cute. We just ask them to return him to us."

INFORMATION: Anyone who thinks they may have seen Luca can contact Karen Crotch on 01480 385524 or 07736 327828.