The emotional owner of a dog that went missing in Brean for four days has thanked the public for their help after her pet was found safe and well outside the village’s bird gardens on Friday evening (November 2nd).
Delighted owner Anne Morris, from Worcester, told Burnham-On-Sea.com she was “stunned and emotional” when she got the call from the owner of the Bird Gardens to say little Bailey, a Papillon dog, had been found safely outside.
A huge search of Brean Down had been underway this week for the dog, who went missing during a walk on Tuesday, amid concern that he had fallen over the treacherous cliffs.
But Kevin Fisher from the bird gardens, pictured below, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I was in the cafe finishing up for the day when I noticed a little dog looking through the glass of the front door at me.”
“I went out to him and immediately recognised him as Bailey. I brought him inside and gave him some water and a little food and called the owner who was understandably quite shocked!”
“The dog was a bit dirty after being missing for four days, but he looked in good health. He went onto our sofa and promptly fell asleep in front of the fire!”
“When Anne arrived, there were a lot of tears of joy – it was a lovely emotional reunion.”
Anne told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The people of Brean and the Burnham area have all been so kind and caring over the last few days, and I can’t thank them enough for all their efforts to find Bailey.”
“I really was so emotional to get him back at the bird garden – I lost a dog two months ago so it has been a tough few days with Bailey missing.”
“It’s just amazing that he’s back safe and well after three nights out in the cold this week. He is not bred to be outside, but although he’s only 2.7kg he’s clearly a tough little creature whom we all love.”
She added that a dog tracking expert helped in the search on Friday.
“She brought her beagles down to Brean to help in the search and she suggested that we put out some smelly socks at the last locations where he was to try and attract Bailey back – they may have worked in attracting him back.”
Anne added: “I would like to thank the community in Brean for all their help – the beach warden, June and Terry, local villagers and the Coastguards.”
Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards were called to Brean Down on Wednesday after the Coastguard control room took a call from the distressed owner.
They conducted a foot search along the base of Brean Down and went along to the Trig Point to get a visual along the sloping cliff tops and then onwards towards the fort at the furthest point, but nothing was found.
“It is always imperative to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard as soon as possible.”
“Although the owners stated that their dog is well trained and wouldn’t run off, our experience is always that every lost dog has had that split second of madness to chase a smell or some wildlife.”
“This is a timely reminder to keep dogs on leads at all times while on high ground, we see many distressed families who have lost their beloved pets, please don’t be the next,” said a Coastguard spokesman.
Pictured: Bailey went missing on Brean Down this week, prompting a search by Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards (photos Anne Morris / Coastguard)
