A dog owner has launched a nation-wide appeal for the return of his beloved Staffie after the animal was snatched from his Heath and Reach home.
Tori, a lovable 18-month-old blue youngster was in the garden when she disappeared. His owner, black belt gym boss Matthew Wright, who bought the animal for his teenage daughter Saskia, has urged people using the country’s social media sites to join in the hunt for their pet’s return.
There are already thousands of people who have responded to his appeal and they are searching towns and villages in the hope of Tori’s safe return.
The dog was playing in the family’s back garden in Sylvester Street, when it disappeared on Saturday, November 17. At first it was thought that the animal may have strayed but no-one in the close-knit community remembers seeing the distinctive dog out on the streets or around nearby Stockgrove Park where Matt and Saskia regularly walk him.
Said Matt: “We have had fantastic support from people in Leighton in terms of physical searches as well as the local Facebook community. Unfortunately we have still not found him so we’re hoping that this story may encourage further support from Leighton and the surrounds which could bring Tori back home.
“Due to the campaign we have found out that there was been a sighting of a bald or closely shaven headed, late 30s man wearing a body warmer taking Tori from Birds Hill, Heath and Reach into a dull red car, perhaps a Peugeot. The car was driving towards Leighton Buzzard around mid afternoon. We hope that he would have been captured on Leighton’s CCTV while driving around town.
“We’ve put Tori’s details on all sorts of dog loss websites plus put up posters asking for his safe return. Tori is my running mate so I’ve even gone over my usual running route through Stockgrove looking for him. We’ve searched everywhere.
“The last time we saw Tori he was in our back garden. He’s never escaped before and none of our neighbours saw him. He is blue in colour and very distinctive. He’s also chipped so he should be identified if he’s taken to a kennels or a vet’s.
“Then someone, through Facebook, said they saw him being put into a car.
“We’ve had him since he was just a few weeks old and we miss him terribly. We don’t want to think about him being trained as a fighting dog or used for breeding.I know Staffie’s have a reputation but so many people have changed their opinion of the breed after meeting Tori. He is absolutely loveable. He doesn’t bark, he’s very trusting, and runs up to people to be friendly. We’re all heartbroken that he’s missing, particularly Saskia.”
Anyone with information should contact Matt by email wrigm1967@btinternet.com