The owners of a missing dog which has captured the hearts of thousands of social media users across West Leeds fears her pet may have been stolen.
13-year-old black Labrador Hugo went missing from Calverley Lane in Bramley two weeks ago – and his devastated owners have now offered a ‘substantial’ reward for information.
Elderly Hugo suffers with severe arthritis, and has a muscle wasting disease which will deteriorate quickly without his medication. He has breathing difficulties, sounding almost asthmatic, and struggles to bark because of the weakening muscles in his throat.
in the past two weeks Hugo’s owners have launched a concerted social media campaign to find the family pet, along with printing hundreds of posters which have been circulated across West Leeds.
Karen Moon, of pet search and rescue team K9-SAR, said on Facebook: “It has been over two weeks now since Hugo left his garden, crossed Leeds and Bradford Road at the Calverley Lane junction, and has not been seen since.
“We now believe Hugo has been stolen (theft by finding) and Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024 anyone found guilty of stealing a pet in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
“We also understand someone may have taken him in believing he is a stray, or bought him in good faith, and obviously there will be no repercussions from this, you can call the number below or drop him at a vets.
“Hugo is elderly and unwell and needs to be with his devastated family, please, please help him return home.”
For any sightings, residents are asked to call the search and rescue team in confidence on 07753 260917.
Hugo wandered out of his back garden on Wednesday, 11 September, with CCTV footage showing him walking towards the Langley and Summerfield estate in Bramley, but with no further sightings.
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