Family dog missing off Coquihalla Highway near Merritt
A family dog went missing a few days ago from a location near Merritt and the owner is getting a lot of support and feedback on social media.
Merritt resident Ramona Nicholls lost her dog, Clutch, when he ran into the woods off Highway 5A near Nicola Lake on Jan. 7.
Nicholls said she is amazed by the number of shares and comments she is getting on social media about the situation, but as the hours go by, she is getting increasingly worried about the welfare of her dog.
“When I sent Douglas Lake Ranch an email, they responded right away saying they would email all their staff and spread the word,” she said. “There are many caring people out there. But so far there have not been any sightings.”
She is worried someone might have taken her dog, or that his leash and collar might have slipped off.
“I’m really starting to think he has been dog napped as there should have been some sort of sighting or sign of something,” Nicholls said. “He is way too friendly and loves his car rides, I’m sure he would jump into any vehicle.”
READ MORE: Penticton family dog rescued after five months on the loose in Sicamous
Another concern is about the way the dog “smiles."
“He always wrinkles up his nose and shows teeth,” Nicholls said. “It looks like a mean snarl so it might scare some people but he is actually smiling, with his tail wagging.”
READ MORE: UPDATE: Senior dog healing at home after being missing for three years
The 14-month-old dog is a cross between an Anatolian shepherd and a Norwegian Elkhound/Merimara cross. It was wearing a green collar with a name tag and phone number, and its blue and black leash was attached when it went missing.
A family member who lives in the area has been searching and drivers along Highway 5A in the area are encouraged to keep their eyes open for it.
Nicholls said the dog is very much missed.
Anyone with information can text 250-315-9041.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
