AN Irvine man who offered a £35,000 reward for the return of his missing therapy dog has been given some hope after a potential sighting in the town.
Vishal Lal’s three-year-old Pomeranian, Bear, vanished from his garden in the town’s Old Perceton just before midday on January 11 this year.
Last week - after five months of agony for Bear's owner - Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue received reports of a small tan Pomeranian dog with a blue/navy lead in the area around GSK and Shewalton Woods.
The dog sighting happened around 4.30pm when it was seen wandering dangerously close to the road.
A passer-by tried to stop traffic in an attempt to catch him but the dog ran off into the woods near the GSK gatehouse, where several caravans were parked. The witness lost sight of the dog.
Once he was alerted, Vishal walked the area for almost an hour hoping to find Bear, but no further sightings were reported.
The trained anxiety and trauma dog had been an enormous support to recovering alcoholic Vishal, who had been 500 days sober thanks to Bear’s presence in his life.
Vishal says that the potential sighting had given him some hope and he revealed the £35,000 reward was still on offer for Bear's return - with no questions asked.
Vishal added: "I have struggled since Bear disappeared back in January. He seems to have been taken from our back garden.
"He was so much more than a pet. Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue have helped a lot and I'm now hoping someone will spot Bear in the area and contact us.
"Bear is my anxiety dog. I still feel like half of me is missing.”
If you have any information about Bear’s whereabouts, contact us at editorial@irvinetimes.co.uk or call 078241 59976.
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