Max, lurcher

Bags of biscuits for lost dog’s return
Fri Feb 22, 2013

A dog stolen in December has been found and reunited with its owner who believes it escaped the thieves and was trying to make its way home.

HAPPY RETURN: Mr Dave Manley, with his lurcher, Max.

Max, a 12-year-old lurcher, went missing from his owner’s caravan in the Newark area the week before Christmas along with eight-month-old puppy, Moss.

Max was found wandering in Collingham about a week ago.

His owner, Mr David Manley, said Max was in an appalling condition with sores on his skin and was severely under nourished.

Mr Manley, who has lived in the caravan for more than 15 years, said he had been out for a few hours and returned home to find the doors had been forced open and both dogs gone.

He suspected both pets had been stolen to be used for hare coursing and did not expect to see them again. He was shocked and surprised to have Max back.

“It’s like a miracle,” Mr Manley said.

“He is having two cans of food a day and all the biscuits he wants.

“From where he was found, it looks like he was trying to make his way back home.

“People from the village recognised him from posters we put up, and got in touch with me.”

Mr Manley said he was desperate to get Moss back, who is Max’s son, because he was concerned about his condition and that he was being used for hare coursing despite being too young.

He said: “Moss is out there somewhere.

“I’m really worried after the way Max was. Why would you steal a dog if you are not going to look after it?

“At eight months Moss shouldn’t be running. He should be being pampered.”

Mr Manley said he was devastated to lose the dogs.

He said: “They are like my babies. It’s been horrible.

“When a dog dies you can come to terms with it. Not knowing where they are just breaks your heart.”

Source: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Bags-of-biscuits-for-lost-dogs-return-