A missing dog appeal became a mission to make him ‘too hot to handle’, as friends and family spread word of his disappearance.

East Anglian Daily Times: Search for missing chihuahua, Stanley, in Woodbridge. Picture: TOM POTTERSearch for missing chihuahua, Stanley, in Woodbridge. Picture: TOM POTTER (Image: Archant)

Romany Woolnough, whose sister’s teacup chihuahua, Stanley, was snatched from a park after escaping from their mother’s nearby Woodbridge garden on April 12, feared the dog may have been ‘stolen to order’, as she led a search round town on Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Romany Woolnough leads the search for missing chihuahua, Stanley, in Woodbridge. Picture: TOM POTTERRomany Woolnough leads the search for missing chihuahua, Stanley, in Woodbridge. Picture: TOM POTTER (Image: Archant)

Setting off to deliver ‘missing’ posters through doors, Romany said: “We hope to trigger people’s memories. We may even end up posting through the door of whoever took him.

East Anglian Daily Times: Romany Woolnough leads the search for missing chihuahua, Stanley, in Woodbridge. Picture: TOM POTTERRomany Woolnough leads the search for missing chihuahua, Stanley, in Woodbridge. Picture: TOM POTTER (Image: Archant)

“The fact he just disappeared leads us to think he may have been stolen and sold.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stanley the chihuahua. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDStanley the chihuahua. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

“We just want him home.”

Police want to speak to a teenage boy seen riding a BMX bike in the park area off Beresford Drive. He had medium brown hair, a gap between his front teeth, and was wearing a blue jumper and jeans. Call 101, quoting 37/28985/17 if you can help.