Local Dentist Appeals For Help Finding His Dog

Mike Clarke fears that Bertie may have been taken after running into bushes

A well-known local dentist had to dash back from his holidays in Italy when his beloved dog Bertie vanished while being walked at Ham, near Richmond Park earlier this week.

Mike Clarke has appealed for public help tracing the black cocker spaniel who was with his dogwalker at Ham Lands, an area of common ground along the river Thames behind Ham House, in Richmond on Wednesday. He fears he may have been taken by somebody after running into the bushes.

Bertie, an all- black Cocker Spaniel, has been trimmed recently for the summer. He is very affectionate and loyal. The family are devastated and want him home.

Mike explained what happened: "At lunchtime on Wednesday 13th July Bertie was being exercised at Ham Lands, an area of common ground along the side of the river Thames, behind Ham House in Richmond.

"In the normal way he was running in and out of bushes/trees, but normally would return straight away. When he did not come back after a couple of minutes, the professional dog walker followed into the bushes, but he was nowhere to be seen. At that moment, the walker noticed that a convoy of 3 traveller caravans hooked to vehicles were leaving the adjacent field as they had just been evicted by the Council.

Dr Mike Clarke

"Despite many hours of searching, Bertie was nowhere to be seen. We believe that Bertie was taken and was not 'lost'. He has been neutered and is a precious companion to our family.

"We have set up a Facebook Group called MISSING COCKER SPANIEL, and have contacted many different authorities and groups, including the Police, council, veterinary networks. We have put up posters in the area and have been advised that the more publicity that we create, the greater the chance of him being reunited with us.

"In this respect, if anybody has any information that could lead to his return, we would be grateful beyond words. There is also financial reward offered for his safe return. If readers could share the group with their friends, then we believe we will bring him home safely.

On hearing the news, Mike, who was on holidays near Puglia, rushed to the nearest airport on Wednesday and managed to get a flight back to Stansted, arriving in the early hours of Thursday. He has been driving around the area, putting up posters and handing out fliers for the last few days. If anyone has any advice in how to trace Bertie, please contact him.

Mike is a well known Chiswick dentist based in Chiswick Health Centre and on Burlington Lane and has featured on chiswickw4.com for his work for the burmadent charity. Earlier this year he visited Burma with a team from his practice to help people living in remote areas who have no access to dental care.

July 16, 2016