Joy after three-day search for dog is a success

Tears have turned to joy for a Fife family after it was reunited with a pet dog who had been on the run for five days.

Despite huge interest on social media and dozens of people posting possible sightings of the errant pet, owners Victoria and Martin Mcloughlin, of Dunfermline, were beginning to fear the worst.

Jude, a year-old rescue dog, had slipped his lead after being frightened while out on a walk at Silver Sands beach in Aberdour last Wednesday.

Desperate to get their beloved border collie back, the family spent countless hours following up sightings, some of which had even placed Jude in Burntisland more than three miles from where he disappeared.

Martin said: “Lots of people had come across Jude whilst out walking and tried to catch him but sadly to no avail and the days began to tick by and our inevitable worry for Jude’s health increased.”

With the advice and support from dog rescue volunteers at the animal charity Dana’s Angels, Martin and Victoria had been planning to set a number of traps.

But then the news came that Jude was safe and well.

It came about due to the quick-thinking actions of a man out walking his own dog.

The man recognised Jude from the social media appeals.

And Jude appeared to be taking an interest in the man’s dog and had followed them home, where the Collie was given food and water.

Now safely returned to the Mcloughlin family home, Jude is receiving a lot of care and cuddles from the couple’s daughters Rowan, 14, and Josie, 10 and son Connor, 12.