A woman whose beloved Shih-Tzu pup was stolen turned detective to track him down to a neighbour’s house where his coat had been dyed dark brown to hide his true identity.

Tiny Theo was snatched when he strayed from his owner’s home in Pinhalzinho. In the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, on 19th January.

His frantic owner put up posters and made house-to-house enquiries for a month before one friend said she believed that she had seen Theo at a 61-year-old neighbour’s house.

Even though he looked so different with his dyed fur, she called his name and he yapped back, according to local media.

When his owner stormed around she instantly recognised Theo from a scar on his back and the fact that he has only one testicle.

Police charged the neighbour on 20th February with theft and she may face charges of animal abuse, according to local media.

They said the suspect deliberately changed Theo’s colouring with hair dye to make him look different.

Police Chief Lucas Almeida said: “The suspect replied that she had the dog for nine months.

“She also lied about the dog’s gender. She said it was a female, but it is actually a male.”

The investigation is ongoing.