A dog with a contagious disease has been stolen from a charity event at an animal rescue centre in Faversham.

Picasso, the five-year-old Chihuahua-Dachshund, was taken from Happy Endings rescue centre during an annual charity event yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

The tiny dog, which weighs just 2kg, suffers from canine herpes virus, a disease which is seriously contagious unless the dog is injected every day with an immunisation.

Despite the centre looking after hundreds of animals, Picasso is centre owner Terry Kemp's personal pet along with six other dogs that live with them at the centre in Well Lane.

Terry is offering a £1,000 reward for Picasso's return to the centre and an appeal on Facebook has been shared more than 4,000 times.

He said: "We feel sick and completely gutted that we just don't know where he is.

"I have been checking the CCTV all morning but we can't find anything. There were more than 1,500 people at the centre so it was impossible to know where Picasso was at all times.

"We left him in the house after a while to get some rest and that's the last time we saw him."

Terry has had Picasso since he was a puppy and his loss has sparked a lot of upset amongst staff and supporters of the centre.

Centre co-owner Chris was too upset to talk to the Faversham News today.

Terry says that Picasso would be injected during his breakfast around 7.30am so he is already late in receiving his jab.

The condition causes his gums to burn and turn a bright shade of red.

Terry continued: "We have contacted the police, the missing dogs bureau are are offering a reward for his return.

"He's one of our boys and we want our precious boy back home.

"We feel completely lost and empty and want to hear from anyone who may be able to help us."

If you think you may have seen Picasso or have any information contact Terry on 07710630074 or Chris on 07809721309.