Massive search launched with drones to find beloved dog missing in mountains

04 August 2023 , 14:59

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Amber was reported missing near summit of Yr Wyddf (Image: Llanberis MRT)

Drones and volunteers are searching to find a miniature Labradoodle that went missing near the highest mountain in Wales before the stormy weather sets in.

Mountain rescuers were called in when Amber was reported missing near the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Her frantic owners spent two hours searching the area of Llanberis Path above Clogwyn Station, on Thursday afternoon, August 3 before calling for help. They spent the night in their car after the rescue team advised them to stop before nightfall.

They restarted their search on Yr Wyddfa in the morning. One concern is that Amber may have become snagged on her harness, Pleas for help have been shared widely across social media and a specialist canine drone team began searching Yr Wyddfa this morning.

Amber went missing near summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Llanberis MRT wrote: “Amber (was) wearing a pink dog harness, any help reuniting Amber with her owners would be much appreciated".

Amber’s devastated mum, from Essex, said the dog was kept on the lead on yesterday's three-hour ascent in cloudy and rainy conditions NorthWalesLive reports. She said: “There was just a small section of the descent where it was steep and narrow. People coming up too and the rain and wind were lashing into us. We released her for our safety as she was pulling and we were loosing our footing. We lost sight of her in seconds as it was so foggy."

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(Llanberis MRT)

She continued: “Maybe something spooked her. Maybe she chased a bird or a sheep. We called and called and the wind was carrying our voices away. We stayed looking for two hours and were so cold and exhausted. My 12-year-old son was there crying and screaming. Mountain rescue insisted we came down and followed our descent at checkpoints till we were down. We are exhausted. We honestly never meant to be irresponsible. We’ve all made mistakes and this one has left me and my family heartbroken.”

Concerned well-wishers have suggested search parties and Amber’s owners focus on the area where she was last seen. They advise laying family clothing whose scent the dog can recognise, along with smelly foods like sardines.

One woman said: “If she’s still around, she’ll pick up the scent. Don’t shout her, shouting will scare her, she’ll sense the alarm in your voice.”

Andrew Forgrave