Big Issue vendor devastated after Chihuahua stolen outside supermarket

A Big Issue vendor has been left devastated after her beloved Chihuahua was stolen from outside a Rundle Mall supermarket.

Ruth Reidy says she left her dog, Fifi, in a pram out the front of Woolworths, but when she returned moments later, Fifi was gone.

"It's like taking someone's child," says Ms Reidy, "I just want her back."

Police released CCTV which shows a woman crossing King William Street, with what appears to be Fifi tucked firmly under her arm.

Ruth and Fifi have become popular fixtures in Rundle Mall, with the pocket sized pooch made the poster girl for March in the Big Issue calendar.

"She's beautiful and intelligent. I'm just terrified, what are they doing to her? What's going on?" a distraught Ms Reidy told Nine News.

Today, Ms Reidy and her family stood outside the supermarket with a big cardboard sign, pleading for Fifi's safe return.

Police say that when Fifi was taken, she was wearing a black and white dress, a green collar and a red lead. Unfortunately, Fifi is not microchipped.

Ms Reidy says she doesn't want to press charges against the person who took Fifi, she just wants her fur baby returned.