St Albans dog missing after being scared by gunshots found safe

A ST Albans dog has been found safe and well nearly 24 hours after he bolted and wandered more than 10 miles after being frightened by gunshots.

Jackson, a four year old cockapoo – a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle – was being taken for a walk by a local dog-walker around Heartwood Forest, Sandridge, at 9.30am yesterday (Tuesday) when guns were fired from a neighbouring farm.

His owners David and Kerry Symmons explained that the sudden loud noises scared their pooch who immediately bolted from the grip of the dog-walker, jumped a fence and ran away.

Kerry said that she and others spent the day retracing steps and alerting other dog owners, who immediately joined the desperate search.

A mechanic and stablehand told her they had seen Jackson on the edge of Sandridgebury at about 10.30am, but were unable to catch him.

Kerry said: “Everyone got involved, and after my husband put posters up I was told someone had seen him at Smallford, near Hatfield, at about 9pm.

“He must have gone over the Jersey Farm fields, so we were out till midnight trying to spot him. I rang the police, the council, RSPCA, and the Blue Cross.”

After a sleepless night there was good news for the Symmons family this morning.

Kerry explained: “A lady in Sandridge was getting in her car to go to work when she saw him curled up in a ball on her driveway.

“He obviously thought he couldn’t run anymore and was tired out. She called a veterinary nurse at Village Vet Cayton [Hatfield Road], took him there and they called me after they checked his microchip details.”

Amazingly, despite his ordeal, Jackson escaped with just a sore left front paw and leg.

A happy Kerry said: “It was such a relief as we were so frantic. It’s not something that usually happens, and I would like to thank all those who helped.

“We are very grateful to everyone, they have been amazing.”