A DISTRAUGHT Bentley family have been desperately searching for an injured dog that has been missing since July 21.

They know that Dusan – a black labrador/springer spaniel cross, has been hit by at least two vehicles but are hoping that his hunting instinct has been keeping him alive in the wild, or that some kind person may have picked him up and taken him for treatment. They are offering a reward for the safe retun of their beloved pet.

Zoe Payne was walking the animal in the arboretum section of Alice Holt Forest when he picked up the scent of a deer and chased it across the road, where he was hit by a car.

A search was undertaken in the area of the hedgerows and bushes but the dog had disappeared. He was seen the following Thursday (July 29) when a dog that resembled him was hit by another car, near the staggered crossroads at the Halfway House on the A325 at Blacknest.

Three people witnessed the accident and tried to catch the dog but were unable to do so.

A black dog was also seen being bundled into a car. But Dusan, is microchipped, and has not been been reported by any of the local veterinary

surgeries as having been found.

This may be because his microchip has been damaged in the accidents.

The family have searched high and low, his details have been put out on social media, including the Dogs Lost and Pets Located websites.

Having first contacted The Bourne Vet, nearest to Alice Holt, a search party was organised by volunteers from the practice and all other practices in the Alton, Bordon and Farnham areas alerted.

This information has now been extended to the wider area. The RSPCA and police have been informed and a pet detective has been trawling the A325 and A31 looking for the dog.

In a last ditch attempt to find her pet, described as looking like “a small labrador with very big ears and a soft, silky coat”, Zoe is asking Herald readers to whether they have seen Dusan. The Paynes have two children, one of whom is a three-year old daughter who is pining for Dusan because she has grown up with him as they got him as a puppy at Christmas 2015.

Anyone who has any information as to the whereabouts of Dusan is asked to call 07584 493580.