by Wendy Johnson
A heartbroken family from Lymm, who have been searching for their missing Spaniel Ellie since December last year, have now put up a ‘substantial reward’ for the safe return of their beloved ‘fur sibling’ and have received news of a possible sighting.
Owners Laura and Neil Drinkwater, of Fairfield Road say recent publicity from Warrington Worldwide, the social media network, and a slot on Lymm Radio, had ‘got people talking and sending in more information’.
They say the latest glimmer of hope in the search for Ellie comes from a possible sighting. Laura explained: “Someone contacted us last week with a possible sighting of Ellie in Holmes Chapel. With the help of our supportive residents, we have widened our search to this area. Posters have been put up, leaflets distributed as well as knocking on doors and drones have flown over the sighting area. Holmes Chapel social media pages have also been made aware.”
She added: “The support from Lymm residents in our new search in Holmes Chapel has been amazing, especially from two local men who have given their free time to fly drones, leaflet drop and generally spread the word about missing Spaniel Ellie.”
Missing Spaniel Ellie
Ellie, a Red Cocker Spaniel went missing from Lymm Dam on December 5th. She ran off towards farmers’ fields known locally as ‘The Bongs’ and was last seen that same evening near a special feeding station set up by a specialist trapping team. Since then, the Drinkwaters have not stopped searching for their beloved pet who, they say has ‘vanished from the face of the earth’. The whole community has rallied round to help the couple find their five-year-old pet, and despite exhausting every avenue available to them, including specialist ground searches, drones and thermal scoping, the disappearance of Ellie remains a mystery.
Now the Drinkwaters are hoping their offer of a ‘substantial’ undisclosed reward will either help bring their beloved pet home or generate new information that could assist their search in finding their faithful friend, who is described as ‘nervous’ in character. Laura said: “A substantial reward is being offered for the return of Ellie or information that will lead to the return of our gorgeous girl”.
Laura added that Ellie needs regular medication and that she may already be feeling unwell. She said: “Ellie needs her daily medication for an autoimmune condition, this a huge worry for us and our young children Josh and Saffy are desperately missing their best friend. We are all heartbroken and trying to function but not doing that very well.”
“Even though we haven’t found her yet, I’m forever hopeful.” Added Laura. “Ellie could have been taken in by someone who doesn’t realise she is missing. We are urging everyone to keep a look out for Ellie”. She appealed: “If you know someone who has recently acquired an adult Cocker Spaniel that looks like Ellie then please, please get in touch with us.” Laura also pleaded for everyone to continue to check outbuildings, garden hedges and sheds.
She added: “We are so grateful for the support we have received, and we remain forever hopeful that our fur baby will return very soon. Someone out there knows where she is. We will never give up looking for her. Ellie, please come home, we need you.”
Anyone with any information about Ellie is urged to contact Laura on 07967 185128 or Neil on 07813 201850.
ELLIE STILL MISSING SINCE 5/12/23
This families xmas was a really sad one without her
Nervous female #CockerSpaniel
🚨ELLIE NEEDS MEDICATION🚨
BONGS AREA #LymmDam #WA13Pls help her home TY https://t.co/UvlS1lR2i3@MsTKIndeed @KarenFi51820768 @MissingPetsGB pic.twitter.com/vVO2DyjjJ6
— spaniel alert (@rosieDoc2) January 31, 2024
