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Boy pleads for return of missing dog

11:01am Thursday 19th June 2008

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A YOUNG owner has issued a heartfelt plea for the return of his dog over fears that he has been stolen.

Pedigree Bassett hound Gus went missing on Saturday from Manor Farm Country Park, Bursledon where he was playing with the family's other two dogs.

Josh Digwell, 11, and his family searched the fields, the nearby country park and the surrounding area all day but to no avail.

Josh said: "He is a friend and companion for me, we have play wrestles and go down the garden and the park together. We all miss him."

The dog was a 44th birthday present to dad Tony, who reported the dog stolen on Monday.

A police spokesman said: "We are keeping an open mind but as this animal has not been reported found we are currently considering this a theft. It is a rare crime. Animals are effectively members of the family and when those members go missing it affects everyone."

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Your Say YourEcho

mrs Lloyd, Wirral says...
12:46pm Thu 19 Jun 08

Those sort of comments don't help

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Katy, says...
12:57pm Thu 19 Jun 08

not helpful Holly - you can report a missing dog on a website www.doglost.co.uk and they e-mail posters to members in that region for instant search. Hope he turns up soon.

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What?, says...
1:07pm Thu 19 Jun 08

..It's just a dog. I can't believe that this gets news coverage. What next? Cat stuck up tree? Good grief, you paid a newshound to "go et the lowdown" on this story. What is the world coming to?

I would be a little more concerned about the worrying trend to close public swimming pools down for “women only” sessions.

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not so rare, Baskerville says...
1:33pm Thu 19 Jun 08

This is not such a rare crime. I think you will find that there are other families that are in this same situation through dog thefts that have occured over the last month in this area.

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Dog Person, Fareham says...
2:15pm Thu 19 Jun 08

My heart goes out to you Josh. Hope Gus returns very soon. If someone reading this knows the family please can you tell them to contact DOGLOST on the internet. They will help get more people to keep an eye out for Gus and posters can be made available for putting up in shops etc. I hope Gus is microchipped which will help get him back to you if he turns up in a kennel or vets. Best wishes and a speedy return of Gus.

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Debs, Romsey says...
5:00pm Thu 19 Jun 08

Firstly i would like to say how very sad that yet again another family has a beloved pet stolen, my heart goes out to you all. Secondly i am a volunteer for a dog rescue we have a section which i believe is connected to dog lost. As for the echo reporting this is a rare crime how wrong they are. Dog theft has unfortunately become one of the biiggest crimes within this country. Obviously these criminals target pedigree dogs, i can't stress enough to any dog owner please don't leave dogs in cars alone for this reason along with obvious other reason and most certaintly don't leave your dog tied up outside a shop. It's surprising just how many people do.Some dogs are even stolen to order. I hope you get your doggie back safe and well soon. I know how distressful this must be please try DOGLOST they have been successful with many cases.

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Debs, Soton says...
5:08pm Thu 19 Jun 08

Firstly i would like to say that i think this is just so sad and awlful. Secondly i would like to comment on how wrong the echo is for reporting that this is a rare crime. Dog theft has become one of the top crimes to hit this country it is big business for the low life thieves. I am a volunteer for a dog rescue and we have seen a number of dog thefts just in one certain kind of breed alone. We have a section on our rescue page which i believe is connected to Doglost. This is my advice to you please contact DOGLOST they have had many succesful results in finding peoples stolen dogs.I hope Gus is returned to you safe & well very soon.

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Reality check, The Real World says...
7:01pm Thu 19 Jun 08

really hope that this coverage helps to find Gus, sadly this family is far from being alone. I know of a lady who had a litter of puppies stolen from her kitchen, she had left the back door open whilst she was in the lounge, theiving swine got over the back fence and stole five puppies , they were never found.

Go with the suggestions here of contacting doglost, they are great and have a huge coverage. Also check dogpages.org.uk. If the family, or someone who knows the family can post there, with pics again gives you national coverage of eagle eyed dog lovers! Good Luck xx

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Old Git, Soton says...
7:25pm Thu 19 Jun 08

What? wrote:
..It's just a dog. I can't believe that this gets news coverage. What next? Cat stuck up tree? Good grief, you paid a newshound to "go et the lowdown" on this story. What is the world coming to? I would be a little more concerned about the worrying trend to close public swimming pools down for “women only” sessions.
Sorry, dick, the news isn't centred on your tiny, narrow-minded view of the world, thankfully!

You don't have a dog, nor have you ever had one, obviously.

And those women at the swimming pool are probably scared by someone like you!

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Katie King, Hythe says...
10:17pm Thu 19 Jun 08

I ask me family if they know anyfing bout it. my family got a history of choring dogs off the street. We normal would nick meet from tesco but if we get cought then a dog will do

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Jeweller, soton says...
6:00am Fri 20 Jun 08

Remove the Crown Jewels they are not any use to the tea leaves then !

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