Desperate search for missing Burnley terrier Nipper (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Desperate search for missing Burnley terrier Nipper

3:30pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News

THE search for a missing dog that disappeared after a road crash has been stepped up.

Nipper, a Jack Russell, has been lost since jumping out of his owner’s smashed van window when the vehicle crashed in Burnley last Tuesday.

Volunteers from the Doglost website held a barbecue yesterday in Towneley Park in the hope of luring Nipper to it, after several reported sightings on Wednesday.

Search teams have pinned 70 notices around the town, including several at Burnley Bus Station, with a picture of Nipper in the hope that they will jog the memories of those who have spotted him.

Sightings have been reported at Reedley Marina, Towneley Park, the Leeds Liverpool canal end of New Hall Street, the Pike Hill area and Bank Hall care home.

Jackie Plowright, whose father Ian, 68, was injured when his Ford Transit van crashed into a row of shops in Colne Road, said the whole family was out looking for the seven-year-old black and white dog.

She said: “My dad has recovered fine. He’s battered and bruised but he’s more torn up about the dog than anything.

“He’s had him since he was a pup. It’s amazing that so many people, even strangers, are out looking for him.”

Jean Donovan, one of the volunteers who has been involved in the hunt, said many of the reported sightings mentioned Nipper was limping heavily as a result of the car accident.

She said: “We’ve been doing a lot to help raise the awareness of this missing dog through the Doglost website and Facebook.

“If anyone sees him or finds him they should contact the council’s dog warden or the owner’s family on 07875 312993.”

Two shops, Mobile World and S2S Computers, had their signs and doors damaged in the crash, which happened at around 8.40pm on March 5 and closed Colne Road for three hours.