A HEARTBROKEN dog owner has received taunting text messages and phone calls from hoaxers who claim that her missing chihuahua is dead.

Devastated Kathryn Randall says she was left sick and shaking when a caller told her that her five-year-old dog Bodhi was ‘hanging from a tree’.

Pint-sized pooch Bodhi went missing from Kathryn’s home in Wyke Regis a week ago.

Kathryn, 26, launched a full-scale search for her beloved pet, putting up posters around Weymouth and starting a Facebook page to appeal for Bodhi’s return.

She then received a text message that said: ‘I found your dog, it’s dead.”

Kathryn said: “I’ve never felt so sick in all my life, I burst into tears and was shaking.

“My boyfriend rang them and they just kept repeating ‘your dog is dead’, laughed, and put the phone down.”

Terrified Kathryn then called the police.

She added: “My dad rang the caller back asking if they had information and they said, ‘Yeah, he’s hanging from a tree.’”

A resident told Kathryn that he saw Bodhi in the Gypsy Lane area shortly after he was reported missing.

Kathryn, who has a similar dog called Bella, said the man told her that Bodhi was sniffing a dog that was being walked by two teenagers.

She said: “It’s breaking my heart without him, he’s like my child.

“I haven’t been able to sleep, I can barely eat because of the worry and malicious abuse I’ve received.

“I believe someone has stolen him.”

Another phone call was made to Kathryn’s mobile to tell her that Bodhi had been seen running around a graveyard, but when she turned up there was no-one there.

A Dorset Police spokesman said that a report of malicious communications had been made to them.

He said: “Inquiries are ongoing into a text message that was sent to the owner saying that someone had found the dog and it was now dead. Officers are looking into it, the allegation is that this is a malicious text message.”

Bodhi, black and white in colour, is five and has a ‘cuddly and caring’ personality, Kathryn said.

He has been micro-chipped and isn’t wearing a collar.

Kathryn added: “He’s cuddly and snuggles up in bed with me. I’ve been looking for him every day. I’ve had him since I was 22 and he helped get me through being ill when I was on beta-blockers for six months because of my heart.”

Anyone who has information about Bodhi’s whereabouts should contact Kathryn on 0785 5763004.