Shocking CCTV appears to show a puppy being carried through the streets after being stolen from its home.
Melissa Monaghan and her four-year-old son Paul Goodwin are 'absolutely in bits' after their pocket bulldog Blue went missing from their back garden on Oriel Crescent, Kirkdale.
The 26-year-old claims he was 'cruelly snatched' and the pair have been 'crying' and 'searching the streets' in the hopes of being reunited.
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Now, the Liverpool mum has shared CCTV footage in the hopes of finding her pup who is 'like another son' to her.
The video shoes a figure walking with what is thought to be the eight-month old puppy. One clip shows the person holding onto Blue as he walks down the street, heading in the direction of Stanley Road.
Melissa is now appealing for any CCTV footage from the Stanley Road area or any information which could help reunite her family with Blue in time for Christmas.
Breaking down in tears, she told the ECHO : "Blue is like another baby, another son, to me.
"Paul is just so devastated. They were great friends.
"He got up every morning, got the dog out of his cage and played with him. He loved him. I've had no sleep myself, I'll be back out on the streets searching and searching until he's found."
She added that her son has been 'crying non-stop' and is 'just heart-broken' and thanked the community for their support in sharing her appeal.
Many people were quick to offer their support to the family and ECHO readers had their say on social media.
Carol Ryankill said: "Really hope you find beautiful dog for your son from Australia."
Deb Tea said: "Give the boy his dog back whoever has him. Do the right thing and show you have a heart. The dog is probably missing his little mate too, hope he gets home."
Kerry Jennings added: "Imagine how the poor dog feels when it happens."
Melissa said she has reported the alleged theft to Merseyside Police after the incident occurred between 5pm and 6pm on December 6.
One ECHO reader said: "Poor child, someone must know where this dog is, do the right thing and give it back and make a little boy's Christmas."
Another said: "It's not really much different to stealing someone's kid."
Pauline White wrote: "Hope this dog is found and returned to you both soon. God please help find this dog and return to this family."
Merseyside Police said: "We were contacted at 12.40am on Tuesday, December 7 following reports a seven month old pocket bulldog had been taken from the garden of property on Oriel Crescent at around 6pm that evening.
"Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting of 0023 of 7th January."
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