Owner of lost dog who captured the communities hearts has spoken out with a theory on what happened to his dog

A missing rottweiler has brought the Phillip Island community together, with hundreds helping with the search.

The owner of a missing nine-year-old rottweiler, Heidi, has spoken on social media, saying he believes she has been stolen while on holiday on Phillip Island over New Year’s.

Matthew Scavo and his family were on vacation when Heidi was spooked by fireworks and escaped.

The community of Phillip Island has been searching for the dog, and Mr Scavo has received hundreds of calls and texts.

“Words can’t explain how grateful I am for the community and all they are doing for Heidi,” he said in a video posted online.

“People have offered to fly drones, to do thermal imaging but we are out of options really now.”

Matthew Scavo and his family were holidaying on Phillip Island over New Years like they have for many years when their dog, Heidi, was spooked by the fireworks and escaped their property in Cowes.

He also believes that she has been taken.

“I do think that with the amount of people on the Island at that time she did get out someone has to have her now,” he said.

“I do believe someone has her but I can’t speculate on that because I don’t have any proof.”

There have been reported sightings of Heidi, but Mr Scavo said now he was back in Melbourne it was hard to confirm whether it was Heidi or not.

The Bass Coast Shire Community Safety team has impounded a total of 134 dogs over the past 12 months, which is the lowest it has been since 2019.

Mr Scavo said he wanted to do something to give back to the community after all it had done for him and his family.

He is attempting to get approval to build two dog pens at Muscle Rocks in Cowes which would serve as an alternative to the pound or people having to take lost animals home with them.

If anyone has any news or possible sightings of Heidi, please message Matthew on 0410 038 709.