Eastbourne doctor in desperate search for missing pet dog

A&E doctor Dr Zeki Atesli has been searching for his beloved cockapoo Bertie after every hospital shift since Bertie went missing on April 22.

Five-year-old Bertie disappeared from Telscombe while at a friend’s house having his fur clipped. He ran out, minus his collar, when a postman knocked at the door.

Dr Atesli, who has been working on the frontline at Eastbourne General Hospital since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, has been going out to look for Bertie - driving for miles - straight from gruelling 12-hour shifts in A&E.

His wife Siobhan Dodds said: “We are heartbroken. It’s like a member of our family has gone missing. It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare.”

She said her husband had been desperately searching for Bertie “before work, after work, on his days off. He’s had no time to relax. We have been looking for him night and day.”

This week the search centred on Burgess Hill after a woman reported seeing a dog that looked like Bertie in the Southway area of the town.

“We have a feeling it might be him,” said Mrs Dodds. “It’s the only real sighting.”

The couple, who live in Rottingdean, say they have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered to help in their search.

“The kindness has been unbelievable,” said Mrs Dodds. “Two nurses at my husband’s work were so upset they took an entire week off to go and look for Bertie themselves.”

Bertie, who is microchipped, is described as timid and likely to run away if approached.

Anyone who sees Bertie is asked to call 07915 063272 or 07988 287891.

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