Race to find dog missing down Gower rabbit warren
TIME is running out for a missing dog which disappeared down a rabbit hole in Gower six days ago.
Smudge dropped his dog bowl at the entrance of the hole, in Oxwich Bay, and headed into the darkness.
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Smudge, who has disappeared in dunes at Oxwich Bay, Gower.
Sadly, he hasn't been spotted since last Friday, despite an extensive search involving the fire service, the RSCPA, a lost dog charity and his loyal owners, Bryan and Kathy Johns.
The Johns's other dog, Morse, has also been trying his best to dig out his four-footed friend from the large warren.
But the family still have their fingers crossed Smudge is alive, and are urging dog-walkers and locals to keep an eye out for the Daschund-Jack Russell cross.
"We certainly hope he's alive," said the couple's daughter Karen.
"But it is getting to be quite a long time without food and water."
The saga started last Friday when Mr and Mrs Johns, who were on holiday in Gower, took Smudge and Morse for their final walk on the beach before returning home to Reading.
Smudge had other ideas, disappearing into the hole, around 200 yards north of Oxwich Bay car park.
Smudge's owners waited and waited, but the six- year-old dog didn't surface.
Mr Johns had to return to work on Monday, but his wife remained in Gower until yesterday, waiting by the hole every day, and occasionally hearing signs that Smudge was alive.
On Tuesday, a fire crew from Reynoldston attended the scene, and called in its specialist Urban Search and Rescue Team, which includes a dog. The RSPCA also attended.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "Firefighters used a highly sensitive listening device to try to ascertain if the dog was down the hole.
"The machine is used to locate casualties in situations, such as when a building collapses.
"Unfortunately, nothing was heard. The RSPCA spent three hours at the scene on Tuesday.
"We received a second call on Wednesday and attended again with the fire brigade, and spent a further three hours attempting to locate the dog with no success."
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: "Unfortunately, this is rather like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The area is littered with rabbit holes which makes this very difficult.
"If required, we will go back out."
Karen said: "Morse has also been down there, trying to look for him."
Smudge has been microchipped, so he will be easy to trace if he emerges.
If you spot Smudge, call the Johns's on 0118 9267117 or 07855 554639.
13 Comments
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by geoff, Westcross
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 3:18PM
“Glad to see a search is still on.
But,rather than smudge hiding out in the dunes,I think its quite possible a nice looking dog like him,would have been picked up by someone walking or maybe fishing down there. And has been taken home to be looked after properly,rather than set free in the dunes to chase rabbits,and then get himself lost or killed by the hole falling in on him!!”
by anon, anon
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 1:47PM
“Albert, you sounds like the kind of guy who has a lot of time on his hands. Why dont you nip down to assist in searching? :O)”
by Phebe Cooper, Bancffosfelen
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 1:05PM
“I was there again yesterday, the search continues as we think there is a good chance Smudge has found his way out and is hiding out in the dunes which are covered with bracken, brambes and bushes and full of rabbits. My dog thinks so anyway, and she is a very good tracker. Some local people who walk their dogs there every evening are watching out for him. And no, the taxpayer isn't funding all of this.”
by Albert, The Mumbles
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 8:33AM
“Geoff, if you're so concerned why don't you go and help with the search?”
by geoff, Westcross
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 8:27AM
“Has the dog been found yet?
Did the owners come back to look for him????”
by Albert, The Mumbles
Monday, October 05 2009, 8:53AM
“I hope that the taxpayer is not funding all this.”
by geoff, Westcross
Monday, October 05 2009, 8:31AM
“have they found the dog yet?
Have the owners come back to help yet?”
by geoff, Westcross
Sunday, October 04 2009, 4:05PM
“Has the dog been found?
Did the owners come back,after going home to go to work?”
by Deb, Swansea
Saturday, October 03 2009, 9:31PM
“Nice comforting comments from Roger and Geoff. You know ,if you haven't got anything nice to say you really shouldn't say anything at all! I personally wish everyone involved in the search the very best of luck xxx”
by Phebe, Bancffosfelen
Friday, October 02 2009, 3:59PM
“I was involved in the search on behalf of Doglost and can assure Geoff that Morse wasn't actually allowed down any holes. He was checking the holes to see where his pal might be, and when he started serious digging he was restrained before he too vanished from sight. It was in fact a ball and not a bowl that was left at the burrow entrance. You would be surprised how long a terrier can survive underground, certainly for a couple of weeks. There may well be damp areas in the deeper burrows. and rain is forecast for tomorrow. Smudge is a tough, strong and very clever chap and if any dog could survive it would be him.”