A woman has launched a desperate appeal to trace her beloved pet dog which was vanished from her home in Stokes Croft.
Shelbey Madeleine has been searching the city around the clock for Bella after the Chihuahua disappeared on December 7.
Worryingly, workers at the 24-year-old's local shop, Best Supermarket, said a man attempted to sell a dog to them on December 7 at 6am.
Shelbey then quizzed anyone she could find in the area and was told by a homeless woman a man was later seen selling drugs on Turbo Island with the same dog.
Shelbey says her life has changed after rescuing Bella from a breeding farm in March. She is now so desperate to find her pet she is offering a £500 reward.
"I just want her home," said Shelbey. "She isn't the kind of dog who can fend for herself. She thinks she is a human. She is a little princess. She won't know what's going on - she'll be so scared."
Bella's first owner took her to a vet for treatment but because the woman was banned from keeping animals the medic refused to return the dog.
The RSPCA then issued an appeal to find a new owner for the Chihuahua, which Shelby answered.
"I just fell absolutely in love with her," said Shelbey. "I changed my whole life to fit around her routine and make sure she has everything she needed."
Shelbey had a small gathering at her house on Friday evening and went to sleep with Bella on her bed.
When she woke up, the dog had disappeared and Shelbey fears her last guest may have left the door open.
Officers at Avon and Somerset Police are now investigating the incident.
Anyone with information should call 07939 574022 and 07955 566192.
