Fears grow as search for little Popeye goes into its third week

A PARAMEDIC is asking for help in tracking down his “special dog” after it ran away during a visit to a vet in Leicester just over a fortnight ago.

Popeye has been an important member of the Lewin family, from Braunstone Town, since he was taken in from a rescue centre about eight years ago.

The timid terrier has now been missing for 15 days and his owner, Pete Lewin, is desperate to know that he is safe and well and to be reunited.

Missing posters have gone up across the Braunstone, New Parks and Glenfield areas, with flyers also posted through letterboxes, but the wait goes on.

Pete, 62, said concern for Popeye’s welfare is growing.

“It’s been two weeks now since he went missing,” he said. “We don’t know if he’s hiding out somewhere and keeping his head down or whether someone has taken him in and doesn’t realise he already has a home.”

Popeye ran away during a visit to a vet in Glenfield on Monday, July 6.

“He’d been struggling to walk and we suspected that he may have a ligament problem so we decided we’d better have him checked out,” said Pete.

“It turned out it was an abscess and he was treated by the vet.

“The problem arose when one of the nurses was returning him to me.

“I don’t blame the vets at all, but due to the new Covid-19 measures owners now have to wait outside in the car park.

“I was sitting in my car and as the nurse brought him out he wriggled out of his collar and ran away.”

He added: “He ran around the back of the building and that’s the last time I saw him.

“I followed but he was nowhere to be seen. He was gone.

“Someone later told me they’d seen a small dog fitting his description running up Dominion Road.”

While Pete’s day job is working as a paramedic for East Midlands Ambulance Service, in his spare time he runs Pete Lewin’s Newfoundlands, a not-for profit company which has received national and international acclaim.

It provides therapy swims at Stan

DEDICATION: Pete Lewin with two of his Newfoundlands, which are used to help military veterans with PTSD

ton Lakes, Stoney Stanton, for armed forces veterans and other people suffering from the effects of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), as well as staging water rescue demonstrations and educational visits to schools and community groups.

“I have four Newfoundlands and another four dogs, apart from Popeye,” he said. “Although he isn’t technically a therapy dog, he is for me.

MISSING: Much-loved family pet Popeye ran off after a visit to a vet on Monday, July 6

“He’s quite a special dog. Whenever I get home, there he is. He’s a constant companion with such a good nature and is always sitting on my shoulders when I’m in my armchair or in the footwell of my car when I’m driving.

“Of course, I love all of my dogs but there is something special about him. He’s like my little mate.

“He’s a proper family dog and needs to be back with his family.”

Pete has been wandering the New Parks, Braunstone and Glenfield areas since Popeye’s disappearance with help from an army of volunteers, friends and family.

They are also being assisted by Harvey’s Army, a national charity dedicated to finding missing pets.

Family friend Tracie Baxter said: “Although small, Popeye is a big part of the family. He must be somewhere.

“Maybe he is injured, or scared, or been found by someone who doesn’t realise how loved he is.”

She added: “Pete spends his life helping others and we are now pleading with people to help him to get Popeye home to his human and canine family.”

Popeye, who is a terrier cross, is thought to be about nine years old and has a mostly black coat with silver specks and a grey nose.

Although he is micro-chipped, without his collar he has no obvious identification on him.

“We called him Popeye because he has slightly bent legs and walks a bit like the cartoon character,” said Pete.

Despite several sightings, none has proved fruitful so far.

Pete said: “My big fear is that he could be mistreated, or is hungry, lonely and scared.”

Dawn Goulden, of Harvey’s Army, said: “Because Popeye is so timid, we advise people not to chase, shout or grab him. Dogs tend to revert to survival mode and timid animals especially will run away, even from their owners.”

■ Anyone who thinks they have seen Popeye or knows of his whereabouts is urged to contact Pete on 07878 521 108 or Harvey’s Army on 07833 727 975.