Gerrards Cross: Jack Russell terrier goes missing on golf course

Steve Maynard, 66, was walking his dog, a three-year-old Jack Russell terrier called Mouse, on the grounds of Gerrards Cross Golf Club on the morning of Sunday, December 3, when a larger dog came bounding in their direction, causing Mouse to spook and run off.

Steve instinctively looked around for the owner of the large dog but once he realised they had disappeared, Mouse was nowhere to be seen.

Over the last week and a half, Steve and his wife Anne, 63, who live in Chalfont St Peter, have been resolutely committed to finding their terrier, who Anne described as "full of love" and "friendly to everyone".

A Facebook group called Help Find Missing Mouse now has nearly 600 members and the support both locally and from further afield has come as a surprise to Anne, who said it "took her breath away". 

With today (December 13) marking ten days since the three-year-old terrier was last spotted, the couple are keenly aware that there is no time to lose and are planning a large-scale search of the woodland in Denham Lane this Saturday, December 16, in the hopes that Mouse will be found roaming around the wide expanse of countryside. 

There have been several false sightings, and while the deflated hope of such instances hasn't been easy to bounce back from, volunteer search groups have already combed along the central reservation of the A413 and are confident that Mouse hasn't come to harm along the stretch. 

READ MORE: Church hall demolition and new parish centre plan faces decision tonight

Anne and Steve have permission from a farmer to thoroughly search his land during Saturday's expedition and are cautiously optimistic that, buoyed by extensive word-of-mouth and a poster campaign, they'll be reunited with their dog before Christmas.

"We've managed to get hold of a snake camera and a thermal heat-seeking camera, and the number of positive messages that have come through has helped us not to lose hope that she's out there somewhere.

"People have said their dogs have gone missing for up to a month before being found, and Shelley Duff has also been a huge help. All the work she does locally to help people get their dogs back is amazing and we've been told she has a good success rate."

Shelley has warned that Mouse might be slightly feral after ten days in the woods, which, while understandable, would mark a sad departure from the usually affable temperament of the three-year-old dog.

"She's not your typical Jack Russell - she can be yappy but only a little. She's a lovely dog and doesn't have a favourite between my husband and me, she just likes to sit between us curled up in a ball.

"We are doing our best to keep hanging in there, and it has been wonderful, at least, to see the response from people in the community. We have so many resources now - we just need a sighting."

If you have seen Mouse or have information that could help Anne and Steve in their search, please get in touch by calling 07788 627484.