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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Maisie Lawton

'I'm broken': Family's agony as dog disappears after firework scare and still missing six weeks later

A 'heartbroken' family have issued a new appeal to find their missing dog as thousands of people share the Facebook campaign.

Frankie the one-year-old cavapoo disappeared on October 24 at 6.30pm in Hyde while on a walk after she became frightened by fireworks.

Sightings of Frankie have decreased despite social media pleas receiving over 65,000 shares and 8,600 followers on 'Finding Frankie - Hyde SK14' as people in Manchester try to find her.

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Megan Littler, 25, was dog-sitting Frankie for her family when the fireworks spooked the puppy on Garden Street Playing Fields. Megan told the Manchester Evening News: "I'm completely broken - how can she go on a walk and not be seen again?

"She was so frantic and scared by the fireworks she came straight off the collar and bolted. The last confirmed sighting of Frankie was in Hyde Park on 9th November by CCTV from the park.

Image of Frankie alongside a CCTV footage sighting in Hyde Park (Chelsea Degisi)

"The last few weeks we've had potential sightings phoned in Hilary Road, Grosvenor Road, Hyde Park, Victoria Street and Gee Cross but unfortunately, without footage, we haven't been able to confirm any."

Frankie still missing six-weeks after she ran away leaves part-owners Chelsea Degisi, 30, and mum Dawn Littler - who was on holiday in Tenerife at the time - completely devastated for their much-loved pet.

Chelsea said: "It's been the worst thing. My mum can't focus, she's not coping at all. Since she flew back from holiday she's been out in Hyde for hours - staying out overnight in her car there, sitting out with food till 2am. She's not giving up, she can't - the moment she stops she feels she's giving up on her."

Harvey's Army North have printed thousands of posters for Chelsea with photos highlighting Frankie's golden-ginger tones - though she is likely to have long hair growth and is probably very dirty.

Thousands of posters with Frankie printed by Harvey's Army North (Harvey's Army North)

The Whitefield family have also been working with The Lost Dog Trapping Team UK Search & Rescue Network, who have been advising, out-looking, giving equipment, and attending sightings.

The team placed wildlife cameras, laid scents, and set up a series of food stations around the local area to capture her but she has not gone back to any of these areas.

Advisers told Chelsea to photograph or follow at a distance and document directions given a potential sighting, as she may have gone into survival mode - meaning she is likely to flea from callings.

"We need to be doing as advised by the trapping team over the last few weeks to not shout Frankie but we can go looking, the more eyes the better."

She said: "We think she may have set up a den somewhere and with the weather turning colder we beg you check gardens, industrial units, garden sheds, porches and outbuildings - anywhere that Frankie could be using for shelter."

Frankie, an almost two-year old cavapoo missing from Whitefield (Chelsea Degisi)

In communication with the Rescue Network the family has decided to organise a search for Frankie this Saturday (10th December), meeting on the grass opposite Hyde Park at 8.30am.

Megan said: "We can't be more grateful for the most incredible support from many kind people offering to help, sharing posts, and out looking - you never know how far she could have travelled by now so we're trying to get the word out as much as possible.

The family have asked people to call 07960873400 or 07305276769 for any sightings.

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