AN APPEAL has been made for the safe return of a much loved family pet that was taken from New Ross Town Park on Tuesday, July 14.

The pet, a miniature Yorkshire Terrier, answers to the name Kiwi and is very friendly and gentle in nature.

Kiwi was with his owners, Joe and Margaret Mernagh, in the park when they returned to their car shortly before 4 p.m. that day.

As is usual when the couple, who are retired, got into their car they left Kiwi sitting out side the car for a little while.

Having checked on him twice everything was fine but when they checked the third time he was gone and has not been seen since.

When The Echo visited the couple, who are heartbroken at losing him, they said he is almost 11 year-of-age.

“All of the children around here knew him and in the park because we’re down there for walks so often with him,” they said.

“I walked him around the park and when I got back he was at the back of the car,” said Joe.

“I checked every couple of minutes and he was fine but the third time he was gone,” he added.

“If he was in the park someone would have know him – especially as we had only been walking with him in the park a few minutes earlier.”

Margaret also said that a reward would be given for his safe return.

“He will be 11 in November but is old but sprightly,” she said.

“He is small enough to fit under someone’s coat,” she added.

However, the couple also believe Kiwi may have been taken innocently if he went up to a child whose parents didn’t know who he belonged to.

However, he has a collar with his name inscribed on it. Anyone with information about Kiwi’s whereabouts is asked to contact the New Ross Echo on 087-9689627 or email [email protected].

All information leading to Kiwi’s whereabouts will be treated in strict confidence