Could you offer a stray dog a forever home?
That’s the appeal from the Dog’s Trust charity after police called off the search for missing Kendal pensioner Patricia Mangan last night.
The 74-year-old devoted her life to rescuing abandoned dogs, and was thought to be looking after more than 150 of them when she disappeared last Thursday.
This followed a phone call to her daughter in which Mrs Mangan said that the dogs were getting hungry but that she had misplaced her can opener.
A search of her home at the weekend recovered several dozen unopened tins of Pedigree Chum and a pair of chewed slippers, but there was no sign of Mrs Mangan.
“It was an extremely difficult operation, because when we arrived at the premises we were faced with more than 150 feral dogs, including at least 15 X-Bullies,” said PC Wayne Foster, of Cumbria Police’s specialist dog unit.
“We called in the firearms lads, and they shot about 50 of them before we were able to get the rest outside into the back yard. Sadly there was no sign of the owner, so after putting two-and-two together we’ve decided to call off the search.”
Mrs Mangan was well-known in Kendal for her work in rescuing stray dogs, but in recent years neighbours had complained about the sheer number of animals being kept in her one-bedroomed flat.
Last night, one neighbour – who did not give his name – described Mrs Mangan as “a bloody lunatic”.
Now it’s hoped new homes can be found for the remaining dogs.
A spokesman for the Dog’s Trust said: “The majority are perfectly safe as long as they are fed, and with Christmas just round the corner we’re hoping kind-hearted Cumbrians will help us find them forever homes – or, failing that, temporary homes until they can be put down.”
Could YOU give a forever home to an X-Bully which has scented blood? Tell us why in the comments below
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