Dognap victim’s year-long hunt for stolen pet

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Borehamwood & Elstree Times

By Tommy Norton

Almost a year to the day since her Yorkshire Terrier was dognapped' determined owner Patsy Brennan refuses to give up hope of being reunited with her beloved pet.

With the help of a lost dog web site, Ms Brennan, 44, has distributed 40,000 posters and hundreds of emails in a desperate bid to find her nine-year-old dog Bobby, who was stolen from a van last June.

Ms Brennan of Beech Drive, Borehamwood, said: "I've never stopped looking I can't and I won't give up.

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"He is the last thing I think about at night and the first thing in the morning. I know it sounds far-fetched because he was just a dog, but he wasn't just a dog to me. He was always by my side, he wasn't interested in other people or other dogs."

Thieves broke into Ms Brennan's white transit van, parked yards from Bovingdon market and stole Bobby, possibly in order to sell him on or to use him for breeding.

The crime is far from unique. Police estimate that as many as 40,000 dogs go missing every year but admit there is little they can do.

When doglost.co.uk founder Jayne Hayes lost her miniature French Bulldog three years ago she decided to set up the web site to help fellow dog owners track down lost pets. Through the site lost dog owners can post details of their animals on the site, print posters and contact rescue centres across the country. It has so far helped reunite more than 2,250 dogs with their owners.

Mrs Hayes said: "If you know your dog is out there you can't give up. We've had lost dogs which have been found after three years or more of being missing."

In the case of Bobby, she insists it is too early to give up hope.

"Her Ms Brennan's dog is out there; the chances are he was sold at a market and the new owner doesn't realise he was stolen," said Mrs Haynes.

"These dogs don't just vanish into thin air and it's impossible to let go."

Bobby is described as having a dark grey and tan body, large pointed ears, a full tail. Anyone who has seen him is urged to call 07939 204581 or email stolenbobby@aol.com.

"I would love to think that he escaped and found a good home, but I won't give up looking," said Ms Brennan.