A YOUNG family from Paisley are appealing to find their beloved pooch who they fear has either been stolen or lost.

Colette Morrin and partner Christina Barbie, whose newborn son recently survived life-threatening illness, have been left devastated after their beloved family dog went missing at Strathclyde Country Park in Motherwell on Sunday afternoon.

Nero, a one-year-old miniature dachshund, ran off from a meeting of a Facebook group, Dachshunds Around Glasgow, and hasn’t been seen since.

The distinctive silver-dapple sausage dog was last spotted leaving Car Park 4 at around 1.30pm.

Colette and Christina from Paisley, have been spending all their available time at the park in Motherwell looking for Nero, including overnight watches, and are having to balance this with the demands of looking after their young children, 12-week-old Arlo and 11-year-old Latisha.

The Gazette:

Colette said: "We just want him home. He’s a pest but a such loving, loyal dog.

"He’s such a happy wee dog – he doesn’t bark, he meows like a cat – but when he gets scared he’s very scared.

"We just want him home to give him huge cuddles and never let him go."

Nero is a silver-dapple miniature dachshund with a white patch on his chest.

When he disappeared he was wearing a harness with his name on the side.

He was also wearing a collar with the owner’s information on the tag.

The pooch’s favourite snack, barbecued sausage, has been left to tempt him back, along with clothes and blankets belonging to his family.

If you spot Nero you can contact Colette Morrin on 07342912124.