Missing dog rescued after 11-day search

A dog missing for 11 days in Ilfracombe has been found and safely rescued following a large-scale search effort involving local residents, rescue teams, and volunteers.

Pecco’s owner, Tim Schlapfer, brought her into his life on Saturday, 28 December 2024, when he travelled to Cardiff to collect her from a family needing to rehome her. 

ABOVE: Pecco and her new owner, Tim. Credit: Tim Schlapfer

The pair had an uneventful two-and-a-half-hour journey to Ilfracombe in Tim’s camper van.

Pecco settled into her new home quickly, exploring the garden and seeking Tim’s attention without being called.

“She had a quiet first night,” said Tim. 

“No accidents, no barking, and she woke me at 7am on Sunday (29 December) to go into the garden, returning a few minutes later.” 

Confident that Pecco was settling well, Tim followed advice from her former owner, who mentioned her agility, and ensured the garden was secure. 

He opened the dog flap to give her independence before going to read the paper.

At 9.15am, a neighbour knocked on Tim’s door, reporting that they had seen Pecco on the street near his van. 

When approached, she ran off.

Despite following her for about a quarter of a mile, Tim lost sight of her. 

He and his neighbour posted on the “Gossip in Ilfracombe” Facebook page, asking for help.

Investigating her disappearance, Tim discovered that Pecco had moved an aluminium sheet, limboed under a 7-inch gap in the garden gate, and scaled a five-foot back gate.

Initial sightings placed her near Hele Valley, the beach, and Hillsborough Nature Reserve, but by Friday, 3 January, the trail had gone cold.

During this time, Tim contacted local vets, the police, the Dogs Trust, and Pecco’s microchip company. 

He also enlisted the help of DogLost.co.uk, a charity that provides resources for finding lost pets. 

DogLost designed and couriered posters, which Tim and volunteers distributed, putting up 180 across the area. 

Drone Dog Search and Rescue deployed thermal drones to aid the search, while surveillance cameras baited with food were set up in key locations.

However, nothing was spotted. 

The turning point came on Wednesday, 8 January, when a visiting couple from the Midlands spotted a dog stranded on a cliff near Hele Bay. 

Recognising Pecco from a poster, they contacted Tim, sending a photograph to confirm it was her. 

Tim arrived 15 minutes later and called 999. 

The Coastguard Search and Rescue team then arrived promptly.

The rescue attempt began that afternoon but had to be suspended at sunset due to safety concerns. 

Efforts continued on Thursday from 8am until nightfall and resumed on Friday, 10 January. At 11.30am on Friday, rescuers finally managed to reach Pecco, lowering her onto a cove where an RNLI team in a rib brought her to safety.

ABOVE: Pecco and Tim with the RNLI crew. Credit: Tim Schlapfer

Pecco was taken to a vet for a check-up and has since returned home. 

Tim expressed his gratitude to all who helped:

Now that the dust has settled a bit and Pecco is home safe, sound, vet checked and fitted with the best gps tracker money can buy ; I would like to take this opportunity to do some thank you’s.

There are so many people and organisations that have been involved with this amazing story that I cannot name everyone in person, but in the near future, I would like to organise a meet and greet so that you can all meet Pecco and she can thank you herself and at the same time try and raise a few pounds for the charities involved.

It is not often in one’s life that circumstances reveal the true spirit of human kindness that is all too often hidden by doom and gloom reports on the news of the economy, wars, stabbings etc. The response from people and organisations to aid myself and Pecco has been absolutely incredible, thank you one and all for everything that you’ve done and the support you’ve shown. 

To list just a few heroes: 

The young couple from Tamworth who found Pecco 

My fantastic neighbour and my partner who have handled the massive social media response 

The Dog Lost.co.uk search and rescue charity who have been invaluable with their posters, social media coverage, cameras and advice

Drone S&R for dogs, for their surveillance 

The fire service 

The coastguard search and rescue, Mullacott, Lynton, Croyde, Bude and other stations 

The RNLI, Ilfracombe 

The police

The dog warden

To name but a few organisations who's full time and volunteers have given up their time resources and risked their lives for my dog. We as a community are blessed with these unsung heroes and when it comes to saving our lives we are in safe hands!

However I must also thank you, the amazing general public who have taken Pecco to their hearts and assisted with her miraculous safe return. From the people who have searched, kept an eye out, put up posters, donated items, sent messages of support and have kept our spirits up and to the Facebook page administrators that have been vital in keeping the search so well publicised and safe.

I will publish news of the meet Pecco event in the near future and wish you all the very best for 2025!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,  Tim