Community joins hunt for lost dog

Ozzie has been spotted a number of times since running off on 10 May

A Leicestershire family has thanked a Cornish community for rallying round to help after their dog ran off during a holiday break.

Ozzie, who is a five-year-old terrier cross, has been missing since 10 May.

His owners spent the whole of their holiday on the Lizard peninsula trying to find him but had to head home empty-handed.

But local people have set up a Facebook page to share sightings and have promised to keep up the search.

Ozzie is very distrustful of strangers, his owners said

Ozzie's owner, Ingrid Cooke, 70, from Market Harborough, said the dog escaped just as they arrived for their stay at a Cornish caravan park.

"I went to get him out the car and he just ran straight through my hands and ran off up the road," Mrs Cooke said.

"I called him several times but he looked at me as if to say 'I'm sorry but I'm not getting back in that car'."

Since then Ozzie has been spotted a number of times around Lizard village, Cadgwith and Coverack but has evaded capture.

Ozzie is a rescue dog and his family say he has always been very nervous and distrustful of strangers.

'Can't thank everyone enough'

A dedicated Facebook page has attracted nearly 500 members who have been sharing sightings of Ozzie and distributing posters across the Lizard.

Mrs Cooke said: "It's been absolutely fantastic.

"We've had sniffer dogs out, we've had drones going up, we've even notified the RNAS Culdrose base to keep an eye out for him.

"I can't thank everyone enough, there's just no words to say how grateful I am.

"It'll be the best thing in the world to have him back.

"I've got a nice bit of steak for him because he loves his minced steak."

'We'll keep trying'

Nikki Lightly, one of the volunteers helping in the search for Ozzie, said there was a lot of determination to locate him and they would not give up until he is found.

"I think a lot of people that are on the search have got dogs of their own and we all know how we would feel if it was our dog who was out there," she said.

"If there's a will, we'll certainly keep trying."

Ms Cooke said she remained confident Ozzie would be found.

"He's got to give up eventually and realise he's better off with me," she said.