THE heartbroken owner of a chihuahua is appealing for her safe return after the car the tiny pooch was in was stolen outside a vet's surgery.

Tia, a black and tan chihuahua, had been left in the £13,000 Nissan Juke while her owner dropped a parcel off at Cross Green Vets in Cross Green, Otley, at about 1.30pm yesterday .

As 21-year-old Frances Bell came back out of the vets she saw a man speed off in it. Although she had her keys in her hand, the man had taken spare keys out of the glovebox. The car and dog still have not been found.

Police are investigating. Anyone with information should call officers on 101.