Devastated Coddington mum pleads for her autistic son's comfort dog to be returned after it was stolen
A devastated mum is pleading for her autistic son's comfort dog, his only friend, to be safely returned after it was stolen.
Sheila Sims, of Coddington, said 12-year-old Luke had offered £90 — the entirety of his birthday money — to whoever brings his poodle-cross Pippa home. He was saving for a phone because his is broken.
Sheila said losing Pippa had left a hole in her son's life, adding to the pressures of what is already an isolating time for Luke because of his autism amid the ongoing pandemic.
If the loss of Luke's companion and trying to explain her disappearance to him wasn't hard enough, Sheila has also received cruel hoax phone calls suggesting the dog was dead or that it could be returned for a large price.
Some calls even suggested disgusting and unmentionable ways in which she had died.
In desperation Sheila has had volunteers and even a drone search the whole of Newark, without luck. However, Sheila isn't giving up hope. She believes Pippa is still alive and is determined to get her back for Christmas.
"She was lost on November 8. Unfortunately I was away and she was staying at a friend's house in the Winthorpe Estate," said Sheila.
"She ran out the door of the house, beneath the Winthorpe Estate underpass and on to the railway crossing. I met up with my friend and I actually ran up the railway after her until trains were coming.
"We have been looking ever since."
Sheila received a call from an unknown number asking her to bring £500 to Newark Market Place in return for Pippa. Having scrambled to get the cash, she waited in the square but no one turned up.
On another occasion she was called by a number that was not withheld; a male saying Pippa had been found near Tolney Lane and that Sheila should attend. But on going there, she encountered a group of youths who she said mocked and intimidated her.
Sheila said she has reported every hoax call to the police, but that they had not been helpful in the search for Pippa or finding who was behind the anonymous and cruel phone calls.
"I have an autistic son and he is convinced someone nice is going to bring Pippa home," she said.
"We've been scrolling through the buy and sell groups and I was just pacing up and down the kitchen from 3.30am last night. The last couple of days have been the worst because I have to tell Luke that she may not be coming back.
"She is such an intelligent and fun girl, she jumps on Luke to wake him up in the morning — he is missing her terribly.
"More than anything, because of covid and where we live, isolation is already hard for him. It would mean the world if we could get her home, she's his best and only friend."
Sheila said as a result of her experience, she has started a petition to ensure microchips are properly utilised. She said if someone has stolen a dog and takes it to the vets or pet facility, microchip checks should be an absolute must to ensure any animal taken unlawfully, is brought back to its rightful owner.
Pippa is a small poodle cross with a white and silver under belly. If you have any information on her whereabouts or find her, please call Sheila on 07792 569325. Do not approach Pippa as she is very timid.
There is a reward for the person who returns her.
Neighbourhood Inspector Heather Sutton said: “We have received reports of two malicious phone calls being made to a woman whose dog has been reported lost.
“Having investigated the circumstances of these calls, we believe them to be hoax calls and that the person making them does not have the missing dog.
“We have given advice to the woman that no money should be paid as a result of the calls and to contact us if it happens again.
“This is obviously very upsetting for the woman involved, who is already dealing with the distress of her much loved pet being lost.
“Anyone who has information which could help us find those responsible for making these calls should call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.”