Durban North resident reunited with missing pooch after eight days

A DURBAN North resident shared a sweet reunion last week with her beloved pooch, Elliot, who had been missing for eight and a half days.

Katherine Funnell said her faith in humanity has been restored after a response officer from Marshall Security, Lindo Ximba, spotted Elliot while on patrol in the early hours of Tuesday morning (January 10).

She also praised the community for spreading the word on various social media platforms and for looking out for the corgi-cross-German shepherd who found his forever home in 2014.

Elliot was rescued by animal-rescue organisation Project Dog in Tongaat the same year he was spotted with an embedded wire collar, which had cut deep into his neck, leaving an open wound festering and crawling with maggots.

He went missing in the early hours of January 1 after being spooked by fireworks in the area.

What followed were days of an exhaustive search of the area by car and on foot.

“We followed up on every lead that came our way. The Durban North community were amazing throughout all of this. They helped me keep the faith, and so many people shared positive stories of being reunited with their pets who were missing for far longer. As the days wore on, I couldn’t help but lose hope. Even when the call came through from Lindo at 01:00 in the morning, I didn’t believe it was Elliot.

“Lindo said he had spotted Elliot on Burndale Place and had tried to coax him to the car, but he ran to a bushy area on Lonsdale Drive where he hid in the bushes. Lindo called both me and my mom and waited for us to arrive. We called a few times for him, and I just saw his ears pick up above the grass. I think it took a few moments to register and recognise it was us who called. Elliot then ran up the little bank and out the bush to greet us. I just cried happy tears. It was such a surreal moment seeing him safe and sound,” she explained.

Funnell also praised Marshall Security, Lindo and the community for all they had done to help bring her furbaby home.
“I have never been more happy than I am right now, and to finally say my baby is home is a wonderful feeling. I would like to thank Marshall Security for being impeccable and to Lindo for spotting my little baby and following him, calling us and letting us know that he had found him.

“The community at large were also awesome in showing their love for me and my family – they rock. They’ve all restored my faith in humanity,” she said.