Dasher the deer is missing near Lenswood ahead of Christmas

ADELAIDE Hills animal sanctuary Freedom Hill is hoping a Christmas miracle will result in the return of its deer, Dasher.

Freedom Hill sanctuary fears for the safety of its missing deer Dasher. Picture: Supplied

WITH only 19 days before Christmas, Kym Henley is hoping for a Yuletide miracle — the safe return of her beloved reindeer Dasher.

Named after one of Santa’s magical flying animals, Dasher, has been missing since July, and was last seen grazing on a property in the Adelaide Hills.

Ms Henley, founder of the Freedom Hill sanctuary, has looked after Dasher after he was found on a walking trail near Mt Osmond in December 2014.

Kym Henley with Dasher. Picture: Supplied

Ms Henley said he thrived on a high-protein formula milk alongside Jake the sheep and Cookie the goat.

But in July, Dasher went missing without trace.

“Our worst fear was that he had been taken,” she said.

Missing posters were put up across Hills suburbs by Lenswood resident Padma, and eight weeks ago she received a call saying Dasher had been spotted with cows and sheep on the northern side of Lenswood near the Mt Crawford forest.

Padma has been going to the woodlands with a “Dasher backpack” of fruit, a lead rope, water and binoculars, hoping for a some of “Santa’s Christmas magic” will see his return.

Ms Henley said Jake the sheep has been unsettled since Dasher’s disappearance.

Anyone who sees Dasher around Croft Rd in Lenswood is urged to call 0407 712 080.