Dogs missing after Mr Bean star’s ‘shindig’

ACTOR Rowan Atkinson, right, has come under fire after he is believed to have thrown a “wild” 40th birthday for his partner, causing widespread panic among pet owners – including two dogs that disappeared.

The Blackadder star was throwing a lavish bash for his partner Louise Ford on Saturday at Lucknam Park Hotel with loud music and fireworks heard from miles away.

The party was held at the 18th-century mansion in the village of Colerne, Wiltshire, that boasts luxury spa facilities and horse-back riding and was advertised in advance.

But noise spread so far that residents from Wiltshire communities of Corsham and

Box Hill – around four miles from the hotel – inundated the venue with complaints about the disturbance that terrified local pets throughout the night. This included one owner who claimed her two dogs got so panicked by the noise from what they dubbed “Mr Bean’s shindig” they went missing from a home in Box Hill.

Owner Terri Freeland, 66, said the whole incident was “extremely distressing”.

She added: “On Bonfire night and New Year’s Eve you expect fireworks and loud music and take care of your dogs. On a Saturday evening in May, you absolutely do not expect it. I’m not even a local resident – I live on Box Hill, and there is a huge valley in front of us where the hotel is.”

Locals said the fireworks were set off at around 10pm, sparking fears that local animals – including horses known to reside close-by would be affected.

Terri said she was sat in the garden with the doors open when the fireworks started “suddenly” and her 18-month-old collie Bobby ran out of the doors and disappeared. She added: “I was wandering around in my dressing gown, pyjamas and wellie boots, but whilst I was looking for Bobby, I lost my other dog.”

Terri’s 14-year-old black and white collie, called Megan, then also went missing at around 11.30pm. Thankfully both returned home in the early hours of Sunday morning, but Terri described the whole experience as a “nightmare”.

Other residents who live near the hotel said their dogs were also terrified. They added: “We’re in Thickwood and our little dog, who is noise reactive, is still absolutely petrified.”

According to local reports, Lucknam Park Hotel did its best to warn local residents about the event, posting in various local Facebook groups about the upcoming firework display.

Lucknam Park Hotel and representatives of Atkinson have been approached for comment.