Dog owners launch Britain's biggest missing pet hunt

A desperate couple have launched Britain’s biggest missing dog hunt for a terrier called Benjie. Peter and Joanne Henderson decided no expense would be spared when their eight-year-old pooch vanished two weeks ago. So far they have spent £1,000 hiring the entire staff of Animal Search UK, the UK’s main pet tracing service, delivered 1500 leaflets, visited 300 homes and offered a substantial reward.

They even set up two 24-hour stakeouts after sightings of the mutt. Peter, 63, said: “Every time we go to where he’s been spotted there’s no sign of him. Joanne is really upset and blames herself. We just want him back. We’re all just waiting for the call to say he’s been found.” Peter and wife Joanne, 66, were delivering a parcel in their home town of Swindon, Wilts, when Benjie jumped from their van at tea-time on January 18.



They drove off and only realised Benjie was missing 10 minutes later. When they returned to the spot where he escaped, he was nowhere to be seen. The couple have hired pet detectives equipped with walkie-talkies, rescue traps and police-style patrol vehicles.

So far former rescue dog Benjie, who often runs on three legs, has been spotted 10 times. Former policeman Tom Watkins, founder of Animal Search UK, said the hunt is the biggest dog rescue operation his company has carried out. And at one point they came within inches of catching Benjie. He said: “He ran right through the legs of a vet and was off again. He’s too quick for us. He’s been running around without food and water for two weeks so he’ll be very hungry and confused.”

Update: Benjie has been found.