Helicopter search for lost dog

The family are searching the Scottish countryside

A doting dog owner spent hundreds of pounds on hiring a helicopter when her cherished pet went missing.

Lindy Barbour took to the air to carry out an aerial search of the remote countryside near her Lanarkshire home to search for her Airedale Terrier, Daisy, who has been missing for two weeks.

Mrs Barbour, from Carnwath, said the family had found it difficult to come to terms with the loss of their dog and were determined to do everything possible to find her.

But the hour-long helicopter search across the Pentland Hills failed to find Daisy.

People might say 'It's just a dog' but you don't realise how attached you get

Lindy Barbour

Mrs Barbour has not yet received a bill for the helicopter trip, but it is estimated it could cost up to £600.

She said the family was "absolutely devastated" that the search had not succeeded in finding its pet.

"We are totally devoted to Daisy and she is a very affectionate dog," she said.

"Airedales are very hardy dogs and they could survive well in the countryside.

"It is impossible to search by foot or car and we were determined to give it our best shot to get her back."

Mrs Barbour, who is married to Professor Hillel Ticktin of Glasgow University's Russian and East European Studies department, has also put up posters locally and advertised in the local papers for information about Daisy.

Limbo

"Until this happened I would never have dreamed that I could be so upset," she said.

Daisy is two-and-a-half years old and has been the Barbour family pet since she was a puppy.

She was described by Mrs Barbour as "incredibly independent" and she has gone missing overnight before, but always turned up the following morning.

"At the moment we are stuck in limbo and I just hope that if somebody has her, or any information about her, then they will let us know.

"If the worst has happened then at some point we will have to try and get over it."