So today we've put a juicy shoulder of lamb in the trap, the sun is out for the next few days, and not much snow forecast. Come on Sky - time to come out of your hidey hole!
Had a really useful chat with Martin Soar, a dog tracking and trapping expert this evening. Really heartening for him to say that it just goes like this, and there's a good chance he'll pop up again. He said what we thought - in this weather he won't be out and about much. Also that they really do survive on what little food is around the countryside even at this time of year.
We seem to be doing all the right things otherwise. We just need to keep the publicity up so that people report things and don't get "lazy".
We perhaps need to widen the publicity field as the dog's territory can be 15 miles wide.
In case any bloggers think we're completely nuts, I'll post a comment below with the log of the most likely sightings (one offs and unlikelys weeded out). They total 22! The log of the first week was only put together as a jigsaw 3 weeks or more later, as people started to know about Sky and say something. Such a shame - those were the crucial days when we stood the best chance.
Jon & Shelley in Saffron Walden are going through the same turmoils as us. Tried to go for a pub lunch but just felt guilty they weren't driving around looking for Jacob. They're doing a blog too, as it's a great way for everyone to stay up to date. We cross fingers and hope for them.
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CHRONOLOGY OF LIKELY SKY SIGHTINGS Italics = less certain but could fit
ReplyDeleteDAY OF DISAPPEARANCE Mon 1st Dec 08
Monday Dec 1st 4pm clear description seen on bridleway between Cadeby and Brascote, 2 miles south of home, 4 hours after disappearance
Social worker early week possibly next day (Tuesday 2nd) sighting Cadeby while driving to client
Janice (Paul Jackson’s mum, the Deepings) saw black dog running up and down woods opposite (belong to Cowpasture’s farm) east of Mkt Bosworth on the 2nd or 3rd
Windmill publican – someone saw black dog at Bull in the Oak crossroads A447 Mkt Bosworth turning “in the early days”
“During middle December” seen in back garden 3 times in a few days, house 2nd in from the west side of Nailstone village beginning (West of A447), south side of Barton Lane, under bird feeder where there’s bread on lawn, also out running around nearby fields. Only seen in dark, ran away as soon as door opened
Sat night 20th Labrador running in dark from humpbacked bridge no.2 north of Odstone, ran up road, left at crossing, along road then down drive to Help Out Mill.
Sun 21st sightings x2 nr Overton Lane, south Ibstock early morning. Described jangling of tag and double ring.
Tues 23rd 2 equestrians separate notification south end Green Lane, in field next to Lane.
Sat 27th Labrador wandering through Carlton, not tracked down, said to have red collar (possibly) 07713-268003
Sun 28th bottom end of Green Lane, being chased by motorbikes @3pm.
Tues 30th heading towards Brook Cottage NW of Odstone,
Fri 2nd near brook at bottom of Lount Farm west of Barlestone
Mon 5th 3 sightings, 10 am south Green Lane, 3pm nr humpbacked bridge Barton to Congerstone nr Long Covert, 4pm south Green Lane again. Paw prints in snow throughout field to East of lower Green Lane, Nailstone Copse, crossings in hedges x2 across Barton Lane
Mon 5th or Tues 6th night Odstone, odd pawprints in snow in back garden of house. Food put out over next few days. Cat and fox caught on camera. Feeding stopped.
Wed 7th evening Barlestone, road from recreation ground towards Manor Rd – ? George – well known wandering black lab same build as Sky but never wears collar
Thurs 8th Carlton 0250 at night barking outside John Lowe, no.97 bungalow opposite Gate Hangs Well. Thought it was his own Labrador. Been putting weetabix in garden for birds 3/52. Has been putting dog biscuits out since. Not rung us to say taken.
SOMEWHERE AROUND THIS TIME 2 KENNEL S PUT 1) MIDDLE OF GREEN LANE 2) GARDEN ON OVERTON ROAD SOUTH IBSTOCK WHERE HE USED TO SCAVENGE BREAD WHEN OUT ON WALKS AND OPPOSITE A HOUSE HE KNOWS WELL WHERE HIS BEST FRIEND USED TO LIVE. KENNELS LAID WITH FOOD, SKY’S BEDDING (UNWASHED), OUR SCENT (HOOVER / WATER SPRINKLING, YESTERDAY’S CLOTHES, INITIALLY URINE BUT STOPPED THAT AFTER A WEEK) MAINTAINED DAILY
Sat 10th slim black lab with jingle jangle of tag in back garden of terraced house opposite and down from PO Barlestone 2pm. House is on North side of Barlestone with easy access across fields to the back garden. Ran away. Hairs up on back or possibly scar
Sometime around 2nd or 3rd week Jan 2nd hand report from shopkeeper that a couple had seen a loose black lab in Odstone. No known loose black labs in Odstone.
Thurs 22nd 2pm Barton Lane, North to South at crossing point between hedges where paw prints tracked in snow on 5th . FOOD FROM GREEN LANE KENNEL GONE FOR FIRST TIME, BOWL LICKED CLEAN AND TENNIS BALL INSIDE KENNEL. FEW DAYS LATER EVIAN BOTTLE NEAR KENNEL WHEN BOWL LICKED CLEAN 2ND TIME WITH TEETH MARKS AND INDENTED IN MIDDLE AS SKY OR ANY DOG WOULD DO
SATURDAY 24TH TRAP LAID AT THIS POINT AND WEBCAM ATTACHED
OVERTON ROAD KENNEL MOVED TO SOUTH END OF GREEN LANE AND CAMERA ATTACHED ONCE FOOD DISAPPEARING REGULARLY FROM BOTH GREEN LANE KENNELS (1ST WEEK FEB)
Thurs 22nd Kirby Muxloe (Western suburban Leicester) dog walking park nr library 19.45 black lab frightened on own and looked up when called Sky.
Wed 28th Jan barking outside Brook Cottage, Odstone, 6pm and 10pm and floodlight activated. Sensible lady with labs of her own. Ffion on scene while floodlight still on (2nd time). Tried tinkling biscuits in Sky’s bowl and calling softly for an hour. No sighting.
FIRST WEEK FEB FOOD GONE FROM KENNELS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. CAMERA PUT ON SOUTH KENNEL. OTHER LABRADORS FILMED TAKING FROM THIS ON THE 2 OCCASIONS FOOD GONE AND BOWL LICKED CLEAN
SUMMARY
22 possible sightings to date (10th Feb), mainly 20th Dec to 5th Jan.