A DOG owner has issued a desperate plea for help after her beloved pet escaped from kennels in Inverkip last week.

Local residents are searching for 12-year-old cockapoo Cooper, who got out of Brueacre Kennels on Friday night.

He had been staying there while his owners are on holiday in Cyprus.

Cooper's distressed family, who only found out about their missing pooch on Sunday, told the Tele that the recent heatwave has heightened their concern for his safety.

Concerned animal lovers have meanwhile been sharing posters and information about Cooper online, with others giving up their time to help search for him.

Brueacre Kennels owner Allison Black said that Cooper's escape had been a 'complete and utter accident'.

She said: "We spent all of Friday and Saturday looking for him in four or five cars, I've spent every waking hour looking for the dog.

"It's been a complete and utter accident, I've got it all on CCTV.

"The gate at the bottom of the kennels was blown open by the wind when my son was trying to feed the dog.

"He put the food down and the dog had a go at him.

"It flew past him and ran out the gate.

"I dithered about telling the owners because I didn't want to ruin their holiday and I really thought that I would find the dog on Friday night."

Businesswoman Allison confirmed that she was aware of criticism directed at her online regarding the circumstances of Cooper's disappearance.

She added: "If people would get out and help rather than being big brave keyboard warriors we would be able to find him.

"Anybody in Inverclyde that knows me knows that I would never hurt an animal.

"I supported doctors, nurses, care home staff and police officers at the start of the pandemic and didn't charge them for the first four months of Covid and that speaks to my character.

"If anyone has seen him they can get in touch with the owners or they can get in touch with me.

"I don't think anyone will have lifted him, he'll be up in the hills."

Sophie Hill, who owns Cooper, said her family, who have had him since he was a pup, are frantic over his disappearance.

She said: "We dropped him off on Wednesday lunchtime before we went on holiday.

"We're very worried about him because of how warm it is at the moment, he also isn't very familiar with that area.

"The response we've had on Facebook and social media so far has been amazing, it's a really big help.

"There have been lots of people getting in touch to say they could help and there was even a man who said he would go out and look with a drone."

Kennel owner Ms Black told the Tele she had barely slept since Cooper vanished.

She added: "I just want to get the dog back as soon as possible."

*Anyone who has seen Cooper is asked to call 07759285547 or contact Brueacre Farms.

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