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Search after homeless man’s dog stolen (From Oxford Mail)
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Search after homeless man’s dog stolen
10:30am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in Oxford
By Katriona Ormiston, Reporter. Call me on (01865) 425426
WHEN homeless Carl McDonald sleeps rough on the streets of Oxford his only companion is his lifesaving dog Scooby.
But now a national search has been launched after thieves snatched the four-year-old Australian Kelpie as Mr McDonald slept in a church porch.
The dog was taken just before Christmas while Mr McDonald was sleeping in the porch of St Giles’ Church in the city centre.
Mr McDonald, 43, said he owed her his life after Scooby saved him from a flat fire last year.
He said: “Dogs are everything when you are homeless. They keep you going and listen to you when you have no one to talk to.
“I can’t sleep without her, it’s messing me up to be honest. It feels like someone has stolen my kid.
“I don’t know what I might do to myself really, I can’t live without her. She was like my daughter. I have had her since she was four weeks old and bottle-fed her as a puppy.
“I saved her life then and she saved mine, when I was passed out in a flat last year in Weston-Super-Mare.
“Someone had left a candle on and the flat caught fire. She woke me up and dragged me to the door. I didn’t know where it was because of all the smoke.”
Mr McDonald was given Scooby when she was a puppy by a friend.
The brown Australian Kelpie with a white blaze across her chest was last seen lying next to Mr McDonald.
Mr McDonald said he was sure Scooby was stolen because the lead which hadn’t been attached to her collar was also gone, as well as some dog treats and £38 which had been in his hat.
A friend, Mandy Aitbaha, is helping him search for Scooby by putting up posters.
The 45-year-old from Witney said she always stopped to chat to Mr McDonald and say hello to Scooby while she was shopping in Oxford.
She said: “I’m really worried about him, he’s depressed and without that dog he is suicidal. I always see them together, he loves that dog.
“When I saw him a few days ago after Scooby went missing his head was down and he was crying.
“I couldn’t see Scooby so I knew something was wrong. He has been dealt a rough hand of cards as it is. His words to me were that he is staring death in the face so we really have to find her.”
Volunteers for Dog Lost, a national website which tries to track down missing dogs, have also been searching for Scooby.
DogLost spokesman Nik Oakley said: “This little dog is going to be terrified to be away from his owner.
“He has had her since she was a puppy and she’s a very clever little dog.
“This is a particularly despicable act.
“We would like the people of Oxford to unite to get this man’s one companion back.
“We are doing everything we can to get Scooby back.”
Thames Valley Police spokesman Rhianne Pope confirmed Scooby was reported missing on December 19 and had not yet been found.
She said Scooby’s disappearance was being treated as a theft.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (58)
11:34am Wed 2 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
11:40am Wed 2 Jan 13
online_reader says...
11:43am Wed 2 Jan 13
MadMan-JaYmZ says...
The dog, the lead and £38 had gone, so unless the dog, decided he needed the money for his journey its highly unlikely it ran away.
You really need to read the whole thing before commenting, Idiot !
12:04pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
12:12pm Wed 2 Jan 13
oafie says...
There are in fact very few shelters for the homeless that will allow them their dogs, hence people continue to sleep outside.
You should thank your lucky stars you are not in such a situation, it is all too easy to lose a job, then a home....
1:12pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
2:39pm Wed 2 Jan 13
xjohnx says...
Anybody can become homeless by mischance or personal tragedy but almost all ''normal'' people recover quickly.
The sick however, tend be long term homeless. They deserve sympathy. If we all invest a little with the Saly Army society would be better off.
3:35pm Wed 2 Jan 13
EMBOX2 says...
I do however feel that homeless people (of which there is no need to be, in this rich country of ours) do often not help themselves. As in previous posts, I have stated that many of the homeless are there because of drink/drug/crime issues. If they wanted to get clean, stay on the right track and work hard, they can do what the rest of us take for granted. Sadly many just want to sell the Big Issue for decade after decade. Maybe some tough love is what is required...
4:26pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Bartsimpson_uk says...
5:51pm Wed 2 Jan 13
A34North says...
7:47pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Foxy Lady1 says...
er you want to aportion the blame of people less fortunate than you on, you should really take a look at why their lives have spiralled to this level of despair. This mans life was his kindred spirit, his dog, his friend, the thing in this life that does not judge him for his material things, he is lvoed unconditionally by that dog, and that is the best friendship of all. Please pray we find the doggy and return him to his rightful owner. I only wish you people who put down anyone in his position never suffer a mental breakdown, loss of something so beloved that it breaks you. You really are very self rightous.
8:22pm Wed 2 Jan 13
pjpj says...
8:27pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
9:02pm Wed 2 Jan 13
A34North says...
9:52pm Wed 2 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
Your compassion for a dog over it's human owner speaks volumes about you as a person
9:57pm Wed 2 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
9:35am Thu 3 Jan 13
locodogz says...
10:16am Thu 3 Jan 13
oafie says...
Do enlighten us Tracer1999 as to how those with illness/injury/disab
ility obtain these jobs that are there for everyone.
2:20pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Foxy Lady1 says...
3:09pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Mash2708 says...
4:45pm Thu 3 Jan 13
pjpj says...
2:20pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Well this site is full of trolls, waiting for us to bite. I am very glad to be compassionate about people in difficult situations and very proud to love animals. Some of the troll comments are moronic.”
I couldn't agree more. Most internet forums are plagued by 'trolls' who are generally inadequates hiding behind their pc's with nothing useful to say but simply like to disagree with anyone and everyone, they probably get some kind if kick from it, usually very sad 'Billy-no-mates.
5:23pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
5:45pm Thu 3 Jan 13
A34North says...
7:32pm Thu 3 Jan 13
seattlecyn says...
8:45pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Mash2708 says...
12:32am Fri 4 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
9:42am Fri 4 Jan 13
Bertrand_Russell says...
.
Maybe if you took more time speaking to these people you would have a less ignorant, stereotyped and hateful view of them.
.
I suggest that you do a shift in either the Gatehouse soup kitchen or the Nightshelter to understand what beggars are really like. For instance assuming that there is always space in the Nightshelter for beggars - you are aware that the Nightshelter costs £5 and doesn't have space for them all, right?
.
If you don't feel like doing a shift (I get the impression you probably couldn't stomach it), then I suggest you at least go and speak to one of the Oxford beggars, rather than relying on the Sun and the Daily Mail as your only source of information...
9:46am Fri 4 Jan 13
Liberty0 says...
berty. and I have shared your story and will do anything I can to help. The best of luck.
9:55am Fri 4 Jan 13
A34North says...
11:06am Fri 4 Jan 13
homelessbuthappy says...
..lets hope you people dont get dealt the joker next
This guy needs his dog back regardless of his circumstances.
Im 60 and should by rights be living in my home I worked hard for for 43 years, but no! thanks to the company I worked for deciding to ferry work to Malasia, myself and many others lost our jobs....applied for many since but my age goes against me....lost my home because with no job I couldnt pay the mortgage so for the last 5 years have lived in a truck. YOU do not know this guys history but your happy to pass judgement. There but for God go you.
Be grateful for all you have and compassionate for the little others have.
11:21am Fri 4 Jan 13
homelessbuthappy says...
......
12:13pm Fri 4 Jan 13
crustysurfer says...
1:47pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Liberty0 says...
2:16pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
10:10am Tuesday 23rd October 2012
By Emma Harrison
RESIDENTS say they are living in fear of a group of homeless people living under a bridge in Oxford.
Richard Jarman, 43, of Botley Road, lives next to Frideswide Bridge and claims that homeless people have been living there on and off for the past three years.
When he left his house last week he says he was chased by the two dogs owned by the group and threatened by a woman sleeping rough there.
Mr Jarman, who lives with his partner Karl Sternberg, said: “I feel frightened to live in my own home.
“I am scared, especially when it gets dark. They’ve got nothing to lose, I’ve got everything to lose.”
He added: “There are two aggressive dogs – both very capable of attacking pedestrians walking down Botley Road and there is a school nearby.”
Mr Jarman said the problem of homeless people living under the bridge – between St Frideswide Church and West Oxford Community Centre – had been on-going and added that Mr Sternberg went to hospital in February last year after his finger was injured by a used syringe left near their home.
Susanna Pressel, city and county councillor for the area, said: “The police, the homelessness team and the community response team have been visiting the people under the bridge and trying very, very hard to persuade them to move into a hostel.
“There are retirement flats on the other side of the road and the manager has complained to me about these rough sleepers. “Local residents say they have seen them injecting heroin and have been subjected to frighteningly aggressive behaviour from them and their dog. It is a busy part of Oxford with a well-used community centre and community cafe within a few steps and it’s close to the city centre.
“Everybody wants the people living under the bridge to have a roof over their heads.
“These people have been offered hostel places many times but they are apparently refusing to engage with the agencies and refusing to accept help. It is a great worry for everybody.”
In a statement, Oxford City Council said it was working with the police and added: “The situation has escalated and as such we are gathering evidence in order to quickly resolve the situation using proportionate actions.”
Sgt Joanne Hutchings, of Oxford Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It has taken a considerable amount of time to establish proprietorship of that part of the bridge due to its ancient provenance and it has only in the past few days been confirmed. “The owners will be able to apply to court for an eviction notice which police can enforce.
“We are working in partnership with several agencies including bridge owners, Oxfordshire County Council and the city council in a multi-agency approach to address the issues and concerns of the residents regarding the people living under the bridge and antisocial behaviour.
“It is very much our aim to resolve this issue in a manner which keeps peace and order in that area and addresses the concerns of local residents.”
Police said the bridge was owned by the county council but last night no-one from the authority was available to comment.
Anyone with concerns can call 999 in an emergency, 101 in a non-emergency or the city council’s antisocial behaviour team directly on 01865 252969.
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2:45pm Fri 4 Jan 13
A34North says...
2:58pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
3:05pm Fri 4 Jan 13
A34North says...
3:48pm Fri 4 Jan 13
oafie says...
I wonder what sort of you job you are doing that means you fritter away so much time on this site?
5:30pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
9:36pm Fri 4 Jan 13
carfax cabby ox1 says...
10:50pm Fri 4 Jan 13
decentwhitevanman says...
10:46pm Sat 5 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
2:57am Sun 6 Jan 13
Kerry2012 says...
9:05am Sun 6 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
10:12am Sun 6 Jan 13
Doctor69 says...
10:15am Sun 6 Jan 13
A34North says...
8:11pm Sun 6 Jan 13
remberingthe80s says...
6:26am Mon 7 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
5:04pm Mon 7 Jan 13
yellow mustard says...
9:20pm Mon 7 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
9:31pm Mon 7 Jan 13
Tracer1999 says...
5:32am Tue 8 Jan 13
jockox3 says...
9:26pm Tue 8 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
9:46pm Thu 10 Jan 13
Dottyv says...
5:53pm Sat 12 Jan 13
DoctorBob says...
Funny old world.
8:33pm Sat 12 Jan 13
Liberty0 says...
8:36pm Sat 12 Jan 13
Liberty0 says...
8:44pm Sat 12 Jan 13
Liberty0 says...