Appeal for missing dog in Okehampton continues

*UPDATE (7 Nov 3pm): Bella the black labrador has now been found. 

The search in Okehampton continues for Bella, a missing black labrador who disappeared from the area earlier this week.

Bella has now been missing for two nights. Sue, her owner, received a possible sighting on the moor near Belstone, according to a post by Greta Bee on the Okehampton Information Hub Facebook page. 

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“If it was her she was further spooked by the firing range noise and didn’t hang around but may still be around the Belstone/Skaigh area of the moors,” Bee wrote.

The latest development came at 12:30pm, when volunteer Nelle Jay posted that a sighting had been reported around 11:30am. “We are up on the moors now…because they are live firing, we can only get up so far as they have closed the road. Just in the car, hoping she continues to come down the way she needs to. If anyone goes to the moor, please look out for her,” she wrote.

Volunteers and local residents have been helping to search the area. Nic Loram said they would be out on the moors at first light, while Ben Saunders reported he and a friend would drive out in the morning to assist. 

Charlie Molyneux and Claire Mortimer also offered to keep an eye out during walks and runs.

ABOVE: Bella, the black Lab, has been missing a few night (Credit: Terri Maddocks)

Community groups and services have been involved in the search. Bee suggested phoning vets, farms, arranging posters, and using drones. 

Kiri Downes recommended Drone to Home, a search and rescue organisation that assists lost dogs across the UK. Meanwhile, San Pope advised registering Bella on DogLost, a free national database for lost pets.

Residents have also shared practical advice. Holly Spencer suggested leaving an item of Bella’s bedding or clothing at her last known locations to help her return. 

Others have offered to walk their dogs in the search area or check sighting reports.

Sue expressed gratitude to the community for their support. “Thank you to everyone for looking out for Bella and their concern,” she said via Bee’s post.

The ongoing appeal highlights the strong community response in Okehampton, with neighbours coordinating searches across the moor and nearby villages. 

Anyone who spots Bella, or can help with searches in the Belstone and Skaigh areas, is urged to contact Sue or post on trusted groups such as DogLost or Drone SAR for Lost Dogs UK.