A MISSING family pet could be “killed with kindness” its owner warned yesterday.

Karen Sutton, husband Kristian and stepson Elliott, 10, are distraught at the loss of their pedigree Lhasa Apso called Rupert.

But they are even more worried that the three-year-old tiny dog will become dangerously ill unless he gets his special diet of dry food.

The family have just spent the Easter holiday putting up posters and searching for Rupert, who went missing from their home in Dyserth near Prestatyn, on March 17.

“We were on holiday in Thailand and Rupert was staying with my brother Karl and his wife who live about 100 yards down the road.

“Rupert was in the garden, he’s just wandered off and he might have been trying to make his way home. He went missing about 3.30pm on Monday, March 17. He’s never run off before,” said Karen.

The family, who live in High Street, Dyserth, bought Rupert as a puppy. He cost £500 but Karen, who is offering a reward for his return, says he is “priceless.”

“Our main worry is that he needs a special diet of dry food. He cannot have pet food. If he has something like chicken, he has no tolerance.

“Someone might think they are helping him giving him pet food but his intestines cannot digest the food and he gets a bad stomach,” she said.

The gold-coloured Lhasa Apso, a breed which originates in the Tibetan mountains, has a distinctive jaw, which because it has “over shot” is rather pronounced and gives him a goofy teeth appearance as though he is permanently smiling.

The family have alerted all the animal rescue sanctuaries and appeal to anyone who has seen Rupert to contact Karl on 07799 282336.