News

Lost family pooch ‘Missy’ found again after being absent for nearly 10 years

A FAMILY dog that went missing nearly 10 years ago, has been reunited with its ‘fur-ever’ family, thanks to the work of City of Canterbury Bankstown’s Animal Control Officers.

‘Missy’, a 15-year-old Miniature American Staffordshire Terrier, was found roaming the streets of Canterbury by a resident who alerted the council.
Council Officers took her to the Canterbury Bankstown Animal Shelter, where she was cared for and her microchip scanned.
After searching through records, the mystery surrounding her owners was solved, and she belonged to a loving family who had reported her missing in 2015.
When contacted by the council, owner Rebecca McIlrick said she was over the moon and Missy was a gift and a playmate to her three children.
“Everywhere we went, Missy came. She followed us around like a shadow and she was a real family dog,” Ms McIlrick said.
“We were devastated when she went missing and we searched for her for ages.
“We honestly thought she would be found sooner as she was microchipped … We’ve never been able to own another dog.”
Ms McIlrick said couldn’t wait to be reunited with Missy and made her way to the animal shelter as soon as she hung up the phone.
“My kids thought I was losing the plot when I told them Missy was still alive. We were all in disbelief and we were calculating how old she would be,” Ms McIlrick said.
“She hasn’t changed, and all her old habits are the same. She loves her walks, playing in the water and spending time with the family.”
She will be enjoying her retirement years with Ms McIlrick’s eldest son, Mason, who has also recently found out he is going to be a first-time dad.
A happy ending, but the mystery of what Missy did and who cared for her in those missing years, will most likely never be revealed.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said it’s so important to get your animals microchipped and ensure your details were up to date.
The council offers free microchipping service to all residents and also hold pop-up, microchipping days at local parks, with the next at Band Hall Reserve, Birrong, this Saturday, July 20, 9am-2pm.
For more information, visit cb.city/FreeMicrochipping