Latest news with #missingdogs
CBS News
03-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
July 4th is when most pets go missing, Missing Dogs Massachusetts says. Here's how to protect your pet.
While July 4th can be a joyful time for humans, it can be a weekend of terror for some dogs. The days leading up to the holiday, and the week that follows, can be an especially busy time for volunteers at Missing Dogs Massachusetts. "I have seen dogs go right through a screen in a window," said Bernice Gero, the Co-Director of Missing Dogs Massachusetts. 74 missing dogs last year between June 30 and July 11 The organization saw 74 reports of missing dogs last year between June 30 and July 11. Of the 74, there were nine reports of lost dogs by a pet sitter and 24 reports where fireworks was given as a cause for their escape. That number may be higher, as some dogs may have went missing because of fireworks but their owners did not list it as a possible reason. "There are a good number of dogs that are very anxious around fireworks, and that could be for a variety of reasons for breed or history," said Gero, "The sound that they hear is much more amplified than what we hear. Their ears are sensitive, and not only the sound, but the sight. The sky lights up." How to protect pets on July 4 If a dog takes off during the 4th, don't scream their name, as Gero said sometimes this can cause a frightened dog to do the opposite and to keep running. Instead, she says take note of where they went, remain calm, and offer a treat to lure them back. If they do run, she says call the police or animal control before contacting Missing Dogs Massachusetts. Gero also suggested even leaving the dogs at home. "If they're scared, put them in a crate, put them in a room, a quiet room with a TV," suggested Gero. Shannon Weaver is visiting Boston this weekend with her family and their dog, Dreamweaver. They took her with them because she gets so nervous around fireworks, and they thought it would be better to have her with them. "We usually have to give her a little bit of anxiety medication because she's not very happy," said Weaver, "We just hold her the best that we can, and try to make things easier for her." The Sexton family will be heading to the Esplanade to watch the fireworks with their dog and 10-month-old son. They have headphones for the baby's ears, but they believe their dog will be just fine as he typically doesn't react to sirens, dump trucks, or other loud noises. Not all dogs are spooked by fireworks. "I feel like it's just going to be another event for them that's will probably end up in our laps," said Allison Sexton.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Hunt for dog-napper: Chilling moment masked burglar calmly walks off with family's dogs Bruno and Molly
This is the chilling moment a masked intruder crept into a family home at night and snatched their two beloved dogs. CCTV footage shows the burglar calmly leading nine-month-old Shepadoodle Bruno and his mother Molly from a house in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, on the eve of Valentine's Day while their owner Ewa Hunt, 55, enjoyed a cabaret show with friends following a recent break-up. Molly was found 22 miles away in Goole, East Yorkshire six days later on February 19, following a tip-off from a member of the public - but Bruno has not been seen since. Footage, shared with MailOnline in a bid to bring the culprit to justice, shows the masked man slipping through a back door of Ms Hunt's property just after 8.45pm. He is seen leaving less than two minutes later with both dogs trotting obediently at his side. The mum-of-three believes the burglary was orchestrated by someone who knew her and the dogs, using a copied key to gain access and avoid suspicion. Frustrated by a lack of action from West Yorkshire Police, Ms Hunt says her sons took matters into their own hands by painstakingly compiling a timeline from multiple CCTV cameras - including one clip showing the suspect elsewhere wearing the same clothes. Despite the mounting evidence, Ms Hunt claims police have failed to act, leaving her feeling abandoned and desperate for answers. Pleading for Bruno's safe return, Ms Hunt, who runs a guest house in the town, near Wakefield, said: 'He is my whole world. 'It would mean everything to have him back. I'm living in a prison here - I can't get on with my life not knowing if he is okay. 'Everywhere I go with my other dogs reminds me of him. He's my baby. I watched him come into the world and I wanted to love him for the rest of his life. 'I went out for the evening, leaving Bruno and Molly safely in my kitchen. I didn't really think any more of it because I knew they'd be fine. 'I came home and the door was open and the dogs were gone. 'When I checked my CCTV, I was shocked to see someone had walked in and taken them. Just like that. They've let themselves into the house with a copied key. 'You can see on the footage that they walk willingly with him, looking up at him, wagging their tails, while he's got his face covered. 'I've been in such a mess. Fifteen weeks and I've had no closure. I can't sleep, I can't leave my other dogs alone.' The mother-of-three believes detectives have also failed to follow up on testimonies from witnesses pointing to the suspect. She said: 'On the CCTV, you can hear his voice saying Molly's name. He says 'Molly, get back, or something along those lines'. So clearly he knew who the dogs were. 'My sons painstakingly gathered a full CCTV timeline - down to the second - proving the same person seen leaving my home had also been recorded earlier in the same clothes elsewhere. 'The police, sadly, haven't treated this with any real seriousness in my opinion and have dismissed key evidence and missed crucial opportunities to act. 'I am now too frightened to leave my dogs home alone and cannot leave my home in the dark. 'I even have the support of concerned friends who accompany me on dog walks. 'I just wish the police would take this seriously, as any dog owner whose pet is stolen would want. I'm appealing to them to look again at this case. 'Bruno is chipped. We have the CCTV. We have the timeline. We have names. All we need now is that one person - someone who knows the truth, or has Bruno - to come forward. 'To the person who has him: Please, contact me in absolute confidence. I just want my boy back. He's just a puppy. 'He's a beautiful little soul. He's got the most beautiful soft nature. He's so laid back and never demanding. Everyone around here loved him so much. I think about him every single day.' On Facebook, Ms Hunt's friend Darcey Edwards pleaded: 'We just need that one person who has possession of Bruno to do the right thing, to have a conscience. 'He's just a dog. It's hard to imagine what he's thinking after being pulled out of a family home, from his maternal mother and his owner. 'Bruno's owner just wants him back and we are reaching out far and wide to whoever has possession of Bruno or knows who has him, or any related information. 'Dog theft is now an offence which carries a jail sentence. 'Please, please make contact in the strictest confidence if you know something or want to help return him safely.' Ms Hunt had previously posted on Facebook: 'This is no ordinary dog theft and those who know the truth will support me when I say I don't feel safe anymore and fear for my other dogs' safety. 'I don't know how I would have managed without the love and support from family, so many good friends and the kindness of total strangers, all those who understand the pain of losing a beloved dog and not knowing.' A West Yorkshire police spokesperson said: 'Police received reports of a burglary which took place at an address in Ackworth Road, Featherstone, at 8:45pm on 13 February. 'The investigation into this burglary is continuing with lines of enquiry being actively pursued. A 49-year-old man has been arrested and questioned by police in connection with the matter. 'Tackling burglary is a priority for West Yorkshire Police and all reports of these offences will be investigated thoroughly. 'Anyone with information about the incident can contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 quoting reference 13250086388. 'Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'
