Lost: Brown - Black Bavarian Mountain Hound Female In South West (GL10)

Sightings and Information

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2012-01-29 12:03 Ms Doberton

I have had a reply from Network Rail also stating they are looking into the cause of the inaccurate information. I have just responded stating that they must ensure they have some information to enable (as much as possible) the owner to identify whether or not the dog is theirs. I just hope it makes them think.

2012-01-25 17:04 zen

i have had a reply from my complaint, but they have sent it to a dog grooming parlour in Cheltenham who managed to track me down, and will be forwarding me the letter... yet another communication failure

2011-12-27 20:06 Sueh83

2 months on and Mintaka is still missing :( There have been no sightings since she went missing and have explored every avenue possible. She would be in season now so we will be keeping an eye out on the various free-ad sites and irish sites in the next couple of months. People seem to see Bavarians as the 'must have' hunting accessory and seem to think breeding them can earn a quick buck. Please keep an eye out for any BMH or hound cross/hound types for sale on the internet/papers/shops!

Last edited: 2011-12-27 20:08:32 by Sueh83

2011-12-21 17:38 Ms Doberton

Yes, please send me the sample letter of complaint to send to Network Rail. Thanks

2011-12-19 22:25 DogLostKimmybear - Area Co-ordinator, Essex & Hertfordshire borders

I am so very sorry to hear about what happened to Mintaka. Please owners know she would not have suffered and I believe, God takes our special ones long before we would like because they have already earnt their wings. You will be reunited - this time, never to part. God bless you sweet Mintaka and your loving owners. You are together forever. x

2011-12-19 22:20 DogLostKimmybear - Area Co-ordinator, Essex & Hertfordshire borders

http://www.facebook.com/groups/178865095538243/195635003861252/
Link to National Campaign for Network Rail to be accountable for all our dogs killed by trains.
Or go to FB and search for National Campaign for Cassie's Law.

Last edited: 2011-12-19 22:21:40 by Kimmybear - Area Co-ordinator, Essex & Hertfordshire borders

2011-12-17 11:44 zen

we are waiting on a reply from network rail from our letter of complaint.... if any one else would like to write to them and would like to be sent a copy of the letter by email please let us know. since this terrible mistake by network rail, many more failures with other dogs have come to light...

2011-11-16 08:04 B30

Advertised in this weeks Countryman's Weekly magazine. I hope it brings some news.

2011-11-09 11:11 zen

elliepup, please can you tell me if you have received my email and telephone number thankyou... if you have any information we would really like to talk to you

2011-11-08 21:34 zen

elliepup, i have emailed you as i do not have your number.

2011-11-08 18:15 Shereen

on to it Elliepup

2011-11-08 02:06 Elliepup

Hi, can someone get in touch with me please x

Last edited: 2011-11-08 02:07:35 by Elliepup

2011-11-06 19:48 howler

How absolutely devastating. We were in a similar situation with my mums dog (duffer) so know exactly how the owners feel.
Have been on the look out on my regular walks and will continue to do so. My heart goes out to you.

2011-11-05 18:04 Sueh83

Thankyou everyone for their continued support in trying to find Mintaka.

Thankyou for the offers of help doing a search, but until there has been a sighting it is felt it would be a waste of everybodies time as the landowners,regular dogwalkers aswell as ourselves are covering the ground since she went missing.
Printing off posters and distributing them to vets and rescue centres throughout the country would be much appreciated as we feel someone has her and it will only be a matter of time before they take her into a veterinary surgery for something.

2011-11-04 17:59 lynabby

Hi Sue,

I'm so sorry you're having to endure all this.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help - letter, search, posters, etc.

Lyn & Abby (from Anna's) - you can message us via Abby's FB if you'd prefer.

2011-11-03 22:05 zen

thank you everyone i couldnt agree more, this is just a terrible situation and my heart goes out to the owners they may now never know what happened to their beloved dog.... i will email you with my letter of complaint, was just waiting to add the next sorry saga that network rail now called network FAIL, have even given us the wrong name of the contractors they use... the incompetence just never ends... please stay with me on this, there is so much paper work to go through... the search for mintaka WILL go on, and she will not be let down by us or her owners.... we will not fail her....

2011-11-03 16:30 Ms Doberton

NickyJ, I do agree, this is a constant story re Network Rail and deserves much wider exposure, nationwide and public. Perhaps when we have flaggbag's detail on the case we can send to Network Rail and advise further exposure. Not to be cynical but once you involve the TV people get worried. Maybe contact with dog loving personalities in the Gloucestershire area to take up the case - immediately Jilly Cooper comes to mind. Shaming public exposure is what's needed in my view.

Last edited: 2011-11-03 16:30:44 by Ms Doberton

2011-11-03 16:02 NickyJ

I'm just reading through Mintaka's story and the anguish her owners have been going through, and I think that this story should be sent into to some where like Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio 2 programme to highlight these problems with Network Rail (also Cassies Fence story). I think they need wider exposure.
In the mean time, I hope that Mintaka is found very soon.

2011-11-03 14:51 Ms Doberton

I am happy to do a search at the weekend if owners would like to advise where would be best (near the site of loss perhaps). Does Mintaka respond to a whistle or other noise aid that might help travel over the fields?

Last edited: 2011-11-03 16:31:41 by Ms Doberton

2011-11-03 08:41 zen

stroud fm radio have put out a report
that mintaka is missing... lets hope a listener rings in with a sighting

2011-11-02 19:08 DogLostPoochpal - Regional Co-ordinator - South West - Police Liaison Team

Milly, 32414. All the owners asked was could they have her collar back to identify that it was her body which was at Church Crossing near Taunton. They were never officially told that Milly had been hit, only found out via a friend who works for Railtrack. Milly's owners would like to be included in the list of complainants.

2011-11-02 16:44 zen

it seems it was not long ago network rail FAILED YET AGAIN...http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog_blog.php?dogId=30382
HOW MANY TIMES HAS THIS HAPPENED........

2011-11-02 11:50 zen

BUMPED, DUE TO OWNERS NOW OFFERING A CASH REWARD

2011-11-01 09:23 Animal Magic Chelt

So sorry to read this...terrible :-( we are sharing the poster via our clients and do hope there's good news soon.
-x-

2011-11-01 02:12 Shereen

So sorry to Mintakas owners for this upset,sorry she is still missing,unfortunately due to the mix up 24 hrs or more has been missed searching for her...I really hope shes home with you safe and sound really soon.XXX

2011-10-31 23:37 DogLostKimmybear - Area Co-ordinator, Essex & Hertfordshire borders

This is yet another diabolical fiasco by Network Rail. There are a number of incidences similar to this on DogLost and I think we can all help by complaining to Network Rail. After I get Cassie's fence up along our railway line, I am determined to start pressurising Network Rail again, to get a proper procedure in place for our dogs. It may take forever, but nothing worth having is ever easy. Poor Mintaka & her owners. Such terrible customer care - but sadly typical - from NR. Everyone please help Minataka, wherever she is. x

2011-10-31 23:10 DogLostJackalee (Kathryn) - Area Co-ordinator - Greater Manchester

Unfortunately I have found that Network Rails service varies in so many ways depending on who you are speaking to. I have had very helpful to downright rude and dismissive as I am not the owner. I truly feel for Mintaka's owners and of the poor dog who has been 'disposed of'. Some families will look for their missing pet forever more, always hoping they will come back. I think so much heartache could be prevented if there were set procedures for all departments, in all areas.

So hoping there is some good news for Mintaka's family soon

Last edited: 2011-10-31 23:11:53 by Jackalee (Kathryn) - Area Co-ordinator - Greater Manchester

2011-10-31 23:09 gsd4me

I thought you were in comms with them last night regarding gaining access as per Mollychops comment last night. Please remember to post details regarding complaint here too as many people view but do not comment

2011-10-31 22:55 zen

thankyou gsd4me, the only DEFINITE proof that this was not mintaka was destroyed by network rail... they could have solved all this worry and heart ache if they had follwed their procedure and communicated with each other... and returned the body to the owners as requested..

2011-10-31 22:33 gsd4me

Sorry, meant to include Flaggbag, please ensure I get email for complaint

2011-10-31 22:26 gsd4me

Again my heart goes out to Mintaka's owners. Have been out and about today but no sighings. It is lovely to read some more info about her though. I do so hope she is found safe.

Have we had any more contact with Network rail regarding the remains of the poor creature removed? It is an absolute disgrace that somebodies much loved pet has been treated in this totally inhumane way. Am sorely tempted to contact the newspapers. Do we have DEFINITIVE proof that this was not Mintaka (I hope so). After all their hard work, time and effort in securing an animal at the very top of her breed they, and the working BMH community must be devestated.

2011-10-31 20:14 Unknown

Hope you have positive news soon. Liz xx

2011-10-31 19:48 Sueh83

Through the incompetence of Network Rail they have caused my partner and I a lot of anguish and upset.I thought your subscribers maybe interested to know a bit more about Mintaka. Mintaka besides being a wondeful pet she is also a trained large game tracking hound. Before Purchasing Mintaka my partner put a lot of time and effort into getting a BMH from the correct working bloodlines. This took him to Poland, after several visits and when Mintaka reached ten months of age she came to the U.K. having already done her tracking test in Poland. This was at a great expense, exceeding £3000.00 but it was well worth it. She had the lowest hip score in the breed for this country. When she was three it was decided to breed from her, which to use a health tested/work tested stud dog took my partner to the Czech Republic. Her pups are 18 months old now and are of excellent quality. Her bloodlines are very important to the breed in this country and it was hoped she would have another litter next year, which would take us to Norway for a suitable stud, and would help improve the bloodlines for the future. For Network Rail just to dispose of what could have been our pet, our working companion and a hound that meant so much to the breed as a whole as if she was just an old newspaper disgusts me. They havent even had the decentcy to apologise.

2011-10-31 13:17 zen

i will be emailing people who wish to make a complaint with in the next few days with all information on this case against network rail. please bare with me, there is a lot of information that we need to process.

2011-10-30 19:25 DogLostJayne - Founder Doglost.

What a relief...the search continues...Tx Flagbag...

2011-10-30 19:25 DogLostJayne - Founder Doglost.

What a relief...the search continues...Tx Flagbag...

2011-10-30 17:02 zen

new information has come to light today, that the dog found on the railway line was more than likely not minkata... network rail have put her owner through a terrible and heart breaking time through their sheer incompetence... also they have now disposed of a dog, that some other owner will now be looking for... PLEASE EVERYONE THE SEARCH IS WELL AND TRUELY BACK ON TO FIND MINKATA....

Last edited: 2011-10-31 10:13:02 by zen

2011-10-30 15:05 Mollychops

Ive been given an out of hours number for Glos Council, by one of our fab helpers locally ,Flaggbag has been trying to get through , and she had to go out so Ive had a go. I spoke to a lovely lady who was very caring and realised its a situation which needs dealing with NOW as tomorow may be too late . I explained that the body whoever it is needs to be identified TODAY . She was very sympathetic and understanding She will get back to me soon, I hope today

2011-10-30 13:03 Ms Doberton

I know I'm repeating information posted previously but somehow we need to make authorities aware of their compassionate obligations if no other. Many of the individuals involved must be animal lovers/owners and fully understand the desperation suffered by owners as a result of their inadequate actions.

It should be so simple with dogs requiring to carry owner's ID.

Recently poor Duffer in this region suffered a similar fate and before that Nandor (and no doubt many others).

http://doglost.co.uk/dog_blog.php?dogId=26758
http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog_blog.php?dogId=31582

Perhaps the 'best practice' contained within this link can be distributed to local authorities. I will certainly be sending it to Network Rail although it appears they have procedures but can't be bothered to follow them.

http://www.dogtheftaction.com/jester/hamemo/

2011-10-30 12:49 Ms Doberton

Okay, thanks, I'll make that failure clear too!

2011-10-30 12:46 zen

i understand now thankyou, that was part of the problem they never gave me a reference number when they should have... thats why i put please get a reference number when you ring, as i never had one...

2011-10-30 12:34 Ms Doberton

Hi flaggbag, I guess it's the reference number you refer to below in your post at 01:38. The Network Rail complaint website asks for this in their guidance and I can only guess it refers them back to the original complaint. Don't worry if it's not available I'll make sure they know what I am referring to!!!

Your service request number– if you know it. Please note that failure to provide a service request number can delay our ability to respond to your enquiry

2011-10-30 12:23 zen

thankyou mrs doberton, i will sort this out for you. please can you tell me what you mean by a service request number?

2011-10-30 11:27 Ms Doberton

I will happily write a letter of complaint using the details contained in the blogs below to make my case. I will also keep looking for Mintaka and if I can help in any other way just ask.
Can flaggbag provide the service request number and name of person spoken to at Network Rail so this complaint can be linked to this case please? Thanks.

Last edited: 2011-10-30 11:33:03 by Ms Doberton

2011-10-30 01:38 zen

thankyou to everyone who has followed poor mintaka, and her owners plight... i have asked network rail to tell me who collected the body and where the body is now but they have REFUSED to tell both myself and the owner this information... all they have said is that the body is not retrievable..... i have told them i want to make a formal complaint and who should i direct this too, i was given a phone number and told all complaints should go to this department, but even this information is wrong.... i have looked on their website and all information should be put in writing... they cant even get their own complaints procedure right... i will be drafting a letter to send to them in the next few day, if any one else would like to write a letter of complaint then please do so... or ring 08457114141 on monday, and register your complaint PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY GIVE YOU A REFERENCE NUMBER...otherwise they will tell you that you never actually exsisted as they have tried to tell me... the fight will go on for mintaka, and if its turns out the dog desposed of by them is a different dog, we will fight for them too....

2011-10-29 23:57 gsd4me

Mirroring Neighbark's comment, Flagbagg knows I will volunteer for id's if we can get access.

2011-10-29 23:41 Neighbark

What an awful situation to be in. I know this is unpleasant, but Flaggbag- is there any way that u can speak to the person or persons who disposed of the poor dog on the track? Someone had to pick it up, they must remember size, type, sex, colour, ears shape etc. If they could be contacted and questioned, it might just eliminate Mintaka as being this tragic casualty. Also, - if the dog was buried, I don't know how far one would go to prove or disprove identity....I just know if I was in this situation, I would need to know for sure, and if possible I would need to dig up. Sorry if this offends anyone. I just think that the 'not knowing' has to just eat you up, and thinking about someone searching for their dog, when it might already be too late, is just awful.

Last edited: 2011-10-29 23:43:29 by Neighbark

2011-10-29 21:25 Mollychops

Thanks Old Grey Man X

2011-10-29 21:20 OldGreyMan

Dreadful situation! Can I just reassure anyone who heard about the stray in the Nastend - Nupend fields area on Tuesday morning, that the dog seen, but unable to be caught, was NOT Mintaka. This was checked with her owners. The tail was half white, and he/she had some white on neck. Dog Warden was informed and dog has not been seen in the area since then.

2011-10-29 21:11 gsd4me

My heart goes out to these poor owners. I am so sorry for your heartache and will continue to keep looking.

I am absolutely livid that yet again anguish and grief has been needlessly caused by insensitive and uncaring bureaucrats who just can't grasp how simple it would be to do the right thing. Please Flagbagg can we have contact details to write letters of complaint.

As Mollychops says, it if isn't Poor Mintaka then it is some other poor owners lost loved one. It is beyond comprehension that with all the communication that has gone on between Dogs Lost and this organisation that they could do this.

Last edited: 2011-10-29 21:14:55 by gsd4me

2011-10-29 21:07 Mollychops

This is just horrendous. The people at Network Rail need to be made accountable for this . Poor owners of Mintaka , what a terrible situation. Also if it was another dog that died , whe will also have no idea of the identity. Im really bloody livid . Flagbagg has been awesome in her help on this, a very difficult case .If it was another dog, surely someone willbe missing him/her in this area

2011-10-29 20:02 DebsAndGreg

This is so sad why cant people just follow procedures. Network Rail could have so easily given closure on this. We personally know Mintaka's owners and can only imagine the stress and heart ache that they are going through at the moment.

2011-10-29 18:31 zen

Due to network rails total incompetence, they cannot now say for 100% that the dog found is now MINTAKA, originally we were told they had checked her tattoo to confirm identity, it turns out they never actually checked anything at all.... they PROMISED, (CONVERSATION RECORDED AND ON RECORD), that the dog would be removed from the track and returned to myself this morning,so we could once and for all identify the dog,and return her to her owners but instead of this they chose to DISPOSE of the body and not return it to the owners as requested... network rail have not follwed their own procedure, nor passed information from one department to the other... its been decided as this may not have been mintaka at all, the owners would like the search for her to continue... EVERYBODY PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEARCH AND SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS LOVELY DOG THE OWNERS REALLY REALLY NEED CLOSURE, WHICH NETWORK RAIL COULD SO EASILY HAVE GIVEN THEM BUT HAVE FAILED TO DO.

Last edited: 2011-10-31 13:01:09 by zen

2011-10-29 10:59 Ms Doberton

So sad to hear of this outcome; my thoughts are with the owners.

2011-10-28 22:25 zen

today i had the heart breaking task of telling mintakas owners that a dog fitting her description had been found on the railway lines, my heart goes out to her owners, i will not reunite her untill she is back home with her owners, where she belongs..i am awaiting a phone call from network rail to discuss when this will happen... my thoughts are with the owners who are devestated at this news...,

2011-10-28 20:22 gsd4me

I am so very sorry for Mintaka's owners. This is just horrible news. Thoughts are with you at this awful time.

Last edited: 2011-10-28 20:39:28 by gsd4me

2011-10-28 20:13 DogLostPoochpal - Regional Co-ordinator - South West - Police Liaison Team

So sorry to see this sad news, this must have been your worst fear. Run free beautiful Mintaka.x

2011-10-28 19:57 DogLostOwl

So sorry, poor girl. Run free over the Bridge.

2011-10-28 18:28 Mollychops

Flaggbag is at work at the moment and is not able to post on here the fact that Railtrack contacted her to tell her this sad news. When she is home she will comment on here and she will reunite Mintaka when the time is appropriate .

2011-10-28 15:42 Sueh83

Had a call from Ruth not long ago...Mintaka was hit by a train and killed.

2011-10-27 13:42 Pod

Added to Nat. Pet Register.

Last edited: 2011-10-28 19:11:57 by Pod

2011-10-27 12:20 zen

drove around area again today, and had a talk with owners, they are doing everything possible to find mintaka... both myself and owners have contacted network rail and the highways, but they seem to not even know where their own railway lines are.so very frustrating when you cant even get to talk to someone that can help.....onwards and upwards....

2011-10-27 09:39 DogLostOwl

Yes, it is worrying she has not been sighted BUT in several cases recently dogs running loose in rural areas have gone for a fortnight or more before being sighted. Mintaka will probably be rabbiting at dawn and dusk and resting during the day, and with that colouring she won't show up easily in dim light.

2011-10-27 07:30 Unknown

Come on now Mintaka, give yourself up. Your worried owners you safely back.

2011-10-27 00:26 zen

up to the top of the page due to media coverage.

2011-10-26 21:59 Sueh83

The farmers in the area have been notified of Mintaka going missing. The dogs are generally known to the landowners as they are worked reguarly across their properties. The local shoots in Uley and Owlpen have also been informed and posters put in these areas. BBC Glos have also put a call out about Mintaka and the link for her poster is in circulation on the web. It is worrying that there have been no sightings whatsoever.

2011-10-26 17:54 zen

walked the area to day, no sign of her near the sewage works fields, or in blue bell woods, didnt check the other side of the river, there is an old war bunker there,maybe worth a look...

2011-10-26 13:38 Kate

Hope Mintaka is reunited soon, I have met this dog on Stinchcombe hill just a couple of weeks ago, so will keep an eye out here in case she ends up heading this way. I'm also out walking all day every day in area's local to Dursley so will keep a look out for her. If there is anything I can do please let me know.

2011-10-26 10:34 DogLostOwl

Hi Sueh83, have you notified all shoots in the area as they will be out and about in the fields? Also check sheds, shelters, derelict buildings in the fields. It's been dry here but I gather there has been heavy rain in the west? Mintaka may have a den somewhere.

2011-10-25 19:53 Sueh83

Thank you for everyones help so far in finding Mintaka. We took a poster to Teckels earlier today and I have emailled my obedience club the poster to circulate around memebers and other people that they know in the area. We shall also take some posters to the ringcraft club at Stonehouse tomorrow to distribute. Tonight we shall be going out placing more posters between Stonehouse and Dursley and email rescue centres with the details/photo of Mintaka. We have had no luck getting in contact with Gloucestershire Animal Welfare Association or the RSPCA - Glos branch so far on the phone, but will keep trying.

2011-10-25 19:38 MillieLucy

I live quite near the area and if the owners would like help searching I could meet up with them or search areas they cannot if it would help. I have just driven through the area where the dog was lost and looked around but couldn't see anything. I would be happy to be contacted about searching.

2011-10-25 17:49 zen

this dog may try and make her way home back to dursley so posters are going to be spread further in that area.

Last edited: 2011-10-25 17:50:11 by zen

2011-10-25 17:39 zen

teckells. vets, dog warden and all authorities have been informed mollychops, i did advise to keep checking as she may be listed as a cross breed, as so few people would know know what type of breed this dog would be.. owners are very active in their search

2011-10-25 15:51 gsd4me

Walked from Bonds Mill to the Motorway and back this morning talked to other walkers. No sightings

2011-10-25 14:32 Mollychops

Have Teckells been informed ?

2011-10-25 11:22 zen

have spoken to worried owners this morning, mintaka is friendly but may be warey of strangers, but if you call her mini mini ha ha, she will see you as a friend and probably come to you. she is a trained tracking dog, who is trained to find wounded deer. she bolted from a field and was seen back at the owners land rover, but when he got back to the vehicle 10 minutes later she was no where to be seen... this is totally out of character for her... he has done a good job of postering and will poster again today.... her micro chip has moved down her neck but she has a tattoo inside her back leg. gsd julie is out looking in the area now... will send email advice

2011-10-25 10:46 DogLostJayne - Founder Doglost.

Poster emailed to helpers in GL2,5,6,8,10,11,13.

2011-10-25 00:32 gsd4me

also shared on facebook

2011-10-25 00:05 gsd4me

Like Flaggbag I know this area v well. Was walking there today - sadly no sighting. Am out and about in the Eastington Area (canal path) tomorrow so will be vigilant. Use this field regularly but have never seen Mintaka. Is this a familiar area to her???

2011-10-25 00:03 zen

shared on face book

2011-10-24 23:50 zen

know this area very well, will contact owners in the morning, hope this girl stays safe

2011-10-24 19:35 Admin

Sorry to see that MINTAKA is missing.

• If your dog is microchipped please let the microchip company know that your dog is missing and check that all details are up to date.
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