A hole in the fence has left an even bigger hole in the hearts of a young Paxton family, after their beloved bulldog was taken in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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Brendon Clark discovered Elroy was missing around 8am Sunday, and on searching the perimeter found a hole had been cut in the front fence of his Millfield Road property.
His wife Teri immediately reported the incident to police, and calls were also made to the vet, RSPCA and the council (to report his microchip as ‘stolen’).
The Clarks fear Elroy has been taken for breeding or dog-fighting purposes, after hearing of the thefts of similar breeds in the area.
They just want him back – no questions asked.
They know Elroy was still in their yard at 2.30am – their neighbour had arrived home at that time and saw him then.
“He is a real favourite in the neighbourhood, everybody stops to pat him,” Mr. Clark said.
“We’ve had Facebook messages of support from people around the corner that we don’t even know – but they know Elroy.”
Mr. Clark had built a new fence along their driveway specifically to keep the dogs in after their Alaskan malamute Maya went missing for a day about six months ago.
How Maya got out is still a mystery, but she hasn’t been the same since.
“When she got back it was like she had been drugged,” Mrs. Clark said.
Maya is missing Elroy like crazy, as are the Clarks’ children – three-year-old Masani and 14-month-old Vinnie.
“Vinnie’s second words were ‘Hey Elroy’,” Mrs. Clark said.
“Hearing him say ‘Hey Elroy’ as he looks out the door for him is pretty gutting.
“Masani also keeps apologising to Maya and saying ‘I’m sorry we let the bad man take your friend’, which is heart-breaking.”
Elroy’s plight has been shared on social media, with many users commenting about dogs being stolen in the Hunter Region – some of which have returned with serious injuries.
Police told Fairfax Media that no recent reports had been received about dog fights or anything similar.
“If there are people in the community who have information relating to it we encourage them to come forward, either through the police station or Crime Stoppers,” Central Hunter acting crime manager Detective Inspector Mitch Dubojski said.
“We do work hand-in-hand with the RSPCA and often go out to properties and assist them.
“A lot of police are animal lovers and we won’t tolerate violence against animals.”
- Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
