THE family of a seven-year-old Downs Syndrome boy who is devastated over the loss of his pet dog are appealing for help. Mrs Anne Lawler is pleading for information which could lead to the return of the black Shihtzu, the "adored" pet of her son Andrew.

The four-year-old dog was "taken from the front garden" of the Lawler's home in New Brighton, on Monday of last week and an extensive search has revealed nothing.

"We are at our wits end," said Mrs Lawler. "Andrew absolutely adored Dougie. They grew up together and were inseparable. Andrew won't sleep or eat. He is really devastated and just cries and cries and it is getting worse."

She added: "He is missing him terribly. We must try and get him back." Dougie was never let out and was only in the front garden on his own for a few minutes. "I was emptying the bin and when I came out again he had gone," said Mrs Lawler.

She is really concerned for her son, who is a pupil at Stanley Special School, as she believes his progress is suffering because of the loss of Dougie. Andrew was the smallest baby in Britain when he was born. He was only 1 lbs 2 ozs and is still in clothes for two or three-year-olds. "We were told he wouldn't walk, or sit up or speak." But Andrew has confounded the experts and thanks to his family has made dramatic progress. "Now we feel he is going backwards," said his worried Mum.

She appealed to anyone who knows anything to get in touch. "We don't care where he has been up to now. We just want him back." Anyone with information contact the Wirral Globe on 666-2244.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.