Police are following a positive line of inquiry as they try to find missing pug dog Pixie.
The pup was last seen being manhandled and carried lifeless through the streets of Dundee.
Sharon Robson, 47, who gave Pixie the pug to daughter Leigh and her three children as a gift, complained when the dog first went missing that the family was told they would have to wait three days for police to investigate.
The little dog was last seen safe on the afternoon of Monday July 16 at the Stobswell home of family friend Kelly Deuchar, 36.
She had been looking after the beloved pet and had left it in the care of a flatmate, who has not been seen since.
The force has now issued an appeal for information.
A spokesman said: “There have been numerous sightings of what appeared to be a man carrying a small dog resembling Pixie in the Stobswell and waterfront areas in the following few hours.
“The dog appeared to be lifeless or ill, and the man was described as in his mid 30s-40, tall, large build, and wearing a red t-shirt and blue shorts, possibly with stripes down the side. He was last seen shortly before 6pm near the bottom of Crichton Street.
“These sightings have been confirmed on CCTV. We have already received a large amount of relevant information from the public regarding this incident and are currently following a positive line of enquiry.
“We have also attempted to contact a number of witnesses who have been identified to us, but have not been able to get in touch with them.”
Police Scotland refused to release the CCTV images but asked anyone with information about the man described to come forward.
They specifically would like to speak to anyone who saw the man around Baxter Park, Arbroath Road, Blackscroft, Dock Street, the Tay Bridge, Slessor Gardens or Crichton Street, between 3pm and 7pm on Monday July 16.
The spokesman added: “We are also very interested in a report given to us regarding a man being seen possibly mistreating a dog in Baxter Park around that time.”
Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting CR/17475/18 or speak to any police officers.
Alternatively if you have any information about the incident you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
