Officers investigating the suspected theft of a much-loved family dog in West Dorset have confirmed that the missing Cocker Spaniel, named Gerry, has been found safe and well. The red Cocker Spaniel disappeared from a kennel outside a residential property in Hilfield between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Monday 8 December 2025, prompting an urgent police appeal and extensive local searches.
The circumstances surrounding Gerry’s disappearance led Dorset Police to treat the incident as a potential theft. Officers from the Rural Crime Team were deployed to the area, conducting house-to-house enquiries and reviewing any available CCTV or dashcam footage. Police also released images of Gerry in the hope that a member of the public might recognise him or recall seeing something suspicious on the day he went missing.
Police Constable Chandler Organ, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, spoke earlier in the week about the effort to locate the dog. “We are carrying out enquiries into Gerry’s disappearance, which we are currently treating as a theft,” he said. “I am keen to hear from anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area, as well as motorists with a dashcam who were driving in the Hilfield area around the given times and may have captured relevant footage. I am also issuing two images of Gerry in the hope someone may recognise him and would urge anyone with any information about his whereabouts to urgently contact Dorset Police as we are very keen to get him back home.”
Following widespread circulation of the media appeal and continued police searches, Gerry was successfully located near Cerne Abbas on the morning of Wednesday, 10 December 2025—two days after his disappearance. Officers confirmed that the dog was safe, unharmed, and has since been reunited with his relieved owners.
The news has been warmly welcomed by officers, local residents and the wider community, many of whom had shared online posts and assisted with the search. Dorset Police expressed their gratitude to everyone who offered support or helped to raise awareness of the incident.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We are pleased to confirm that Gerry has been located safe and well. He is now back at home with his family. We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and assisted us with information. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”
Although Gerry has been found, police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of his disappearance, including how he came to be so far from home and whether any criminal activity took place. Officers are still appealing for witnesses who may have seen suspicious behaviour in Hilfield on Monday 8 December, particularly between 11.30am and 12.30pm, or anyone with dashcam footage from the area that may assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police on their usual non-emergency channels, quoting the relevant incident number.
