People who have small dogs have been warned to keep their pets inside after a chihuahua was snatched by a seagull from its owner's back garden.

Gizmo, a four-years-old chihuahua, is still missing after a bird swooped down and carried the animal away in its beak.

Becca Hill, 24, of Paignton, Devon, is hoping her pet will be found alive, and has asked locals to keep a lookout for it.

"My partner was in the garden putting the washing out at the time and suddenly he saw it swoop down. It carried Gizmo a fair way as we couldn't see him any more. I have no idea if he was dropped or where he is now," Ms Hill told the Devon Live website.

She also posted about Gizmo on Facebook. "Please, please, please, anyone finds a chihuahua he's mine, a seagull took him from my garden," she wrote.

Ms Hill said her six-year-old daughter is "really upset" and "missing her dog".

Experts have been drafted in as the search for the pet continues, and neighbours have been checking their roofs and gardens.

UAV lost dog search and rescue who have been helping the family said on Sunday night: “Search for this evening has been called off.