Dog missing for a month home in time for Christmas Day

A dog that went missing a month ago in Sheffield turned up safe and well more than 40 miles away in Newark and was reunited with his owner in time for Christmas.

Posters were printed and the Sheffield dog-walking community took to their heels in an effort to find spaniel Finn, who vanished after a walk.

The dog walker from whom Finn escaped co-ordinated searches and returned daily to the spot from where the animal disappeared, throwing open the doors of his van in the hope the aroma of food would tempt him back.

The search went national and even international when a Facebook community page called Find Finn was set up.

People from as far away as Ireland came over to Sheffield to help search for him.

The Facebook page, which attracted more than 3,100 'likes,' published maps of areas people could search for Finn and was full of messages of support, requests for updates and offers of help.

A Find Finn banner was even unfurled at a Sheffield United FC home match.

A £500 reward was offered for his safe return.

In the days and weeks following Finn's disappearance, possible sightings were reported but nothing concrete came of them. The trail was cold but people refused to give up hope.

An animal behaviourist, canine professionals and dog handlers were enlisted to help and Team Finn were even contacted by psychics who believed they could help.

Mystery surrounds how he came to be in Newark, but Finn was found on December 23 running around the market place by a local couple who can now claim the reward.

They took him to Newark Police Station where Pc Richard Gettings was on duty. Pc Gettings took him in, even though Newark Police Station isn't supposed to kennel strays anymore.

He posted a picture of the dog, which his shift dubbed Rudolph, on Facebook. Colleague Pc Tania Hodgkiss spotted it and did some research online from home on sites dedicated to reuniting lost dogs with their owners.

Pc Hodgkiss came up with a possible match with Finn and Pc Gettings rang the telephone number that accompanied the listing.

Finn's dog walker agreed it sounded like him and a scan of his microchip later confirmed it.

The dog walker then drove from Sheffield to kennels at Lincoln to collect Finn and whisk him home to his owners in time for Christmas Day.

Pc Gettings said: "I've two dogs of my own and don't like to see dogs abandoned. Given the time of year, there was no way I was going to leave him without a roof over his head. It was the right thing to do at Christmas.

"It was a Christmas story with a happy ending."

Speaking as he drove to Lincoln on Christmas Eve to collect Finn, the dog walker said: "I can't believe it's Finn.

"Every day I have been out searching, taking the van, opening up the back doors to let the smell of food waft out, co-ordinating searches, putting up flyers, updating Facebook, just in the hope that there would be a day like this. It's such a relief and the best Christmas present."

Nine-year-old Finn usually lives with his elderly female owner in Carlisle but was lodging with her daughter while she was in hospital.

A special party was held on Boxing Day in Sheffield to celebrate Finn's safe return and to say thank you to all of those who were involved in the search for him. Pc Gettings was among those who went along.

And what did Finn have to say about his adventures? According to the Find Finn community Facebook page, that translated to: "Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas. Woof woof."