TWO canine rovers, who disappeared into the freezing night, were reunited with their owner within 24 hours – thanks to Facebook.
Toby the German shepherd and Scooby the beagle left their owners’ building merchant business at Wakefield Road, Lepton, as the sun and temperatures dropped at 4pm on January 20.
Where the pair spent the night is unknown but Toby and Scooby trotted through the snow to Thornhill, Dewsbury, four miles away where they were spotted the following day.
It appears the dogs later turned around and headed home as they were spotted outside a house in Briestfield, three miles north-east of Lepton.
The dogs were seen outside the home of Dawn Mann, who called her friend Samantha Hodgson who runs a dogs’ crèche and holiday home.
Ms Hodgson put a description of the dogs on Facebook which was picked up by Anne Robinson, a friend of the dogs’ owners, Steve and Anne-Marie Hinchliffe, of Lascelles Hall.
And within 24 hours, Steve was round at Samantha’s business to collect a rather tired Toby and Scooby.
Samantha said: “On approaching the dogs, one of them – a large Alsatian – was growling and quite frightening. I did persevere and eventually gained his trust enough to get him and his beagle friend into my car.
“I thought it was a long shot but posted about them on my Facebook page. Within an hour the owner turned up for them.”
Ms Hodgson added: “They had been missing all night in the awful weather and had gone about four miles from home.”
Mr Hinchliffe, 40, said: “I was very worried because they’re family pets. It was snowy and cold out and you don’t know what could happen to them.
“When they were found it was a big relief. With the weather you don’t know if someone else might have taken them in.
“I think I’ll keep them in their pens or indoors in future.
“Toby hasn’t been neutered and I think he might have got the smell of a dog on heat and set off in search of her. I think I’ll have him neutered now!
“I’m very grateful to the people who found him.”
