Lost dog Milo found and captured 17 days after escaping from pet handler

Love for his owner was what brought a missing pooch out of hiding, in what’s been described as a “miracle” rescue.

Milo, the Jack Russell terrier found by Animal rescuer Nigel Williamson (pictured) and Toby Mitchell (works for Nigel). Milo was lost for 17 day search around Tullamarine. Picture: Jason Edwards

UPDATE FRIDAY APRIL 5

Love for his owner was what brought a missing pooch out of hiding, in what’s been described as a “miracle” rescue.

Milo disappeared in Tullamarine after he was dropped off at an international pet transport company.

With owner Jason Whatnall already in the UK, animal rescuers Nigel Williamson and Toby Mitchell were left to search for the pup, using dog food, treats, and cameras to try to lure the pet.

But it was only after putting Mr Whatnall’s clothes in the traps that Milo was caught.

Mr Mitchell said he was “over the moon” when Milo was finally found, after he’d spent 37 hours near the cage, sleeping in his car and hoping the pooch would reappear.

Milo, the Jack Russell terrier has been found by Animal rescuer Nigel Williamson and Toby Mitchell. Milo was lost for 17 days in Tullamarine. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I couldn’t believe it. With all the adrenaline pumping, my hands were shaking. I was just so happy to be able to reunite another pet with its owner,” he said.

“He was a bit scared and timid being out for 17 days, but after settling in for the night, he is very happy and loving the attention.”

Toby Mitchell with Milo the moment they saw each other after the rescue. Picture: Jason Edwards

Milo, who lost 20 per cent of his body weight while wandering the streets is now under the care of several of vets and has a “strict feeding plan” where he is spoon-fed every two hours to help him gain weight so he is healthy to hop on the plane to his meet “dad”.

But until he’s hopefully fit to board his British Airways flight next week, the pooch will stay with Petraveller chief executive Lenny Thomas, a different company to the one he escaped from.

“It’s a miracle that Milo was found after so long and healthy and well,” Mr Thomas said.

“He’s a really sweet dog, very friendly, and very affectionate to people.

“He’s staying at my house, so he’s never out of anyone’s sight until he’s gained his strength back, so we can send him off and enjoy the reunion.”

Mr Williamson said any pet owner sending off their pet overseas or interstate should use Air Tags or similar location-detecting technology to ensure a quicker return and prevent grief.

“That’s the lesson to be learnt out of this - the technology is there to rely on and very cheap, which would have saved us 17 days of searching.”

Milo, the Jack Russell terrier found by Animal rescuer Nigel Williamson (pictured) and Toby Mitchell (works for Nigel).Milo was lost for 17 day search around Tullamarine. Picture: Jason Edwards

EARLIER TUESDAY APRIL 2

A distraught pet owner who has moved to the UK is desperate to find his beloved dog after the pet transportation company he hired to transport his pooch lost him.

Bendigo’s Jason Whatnall was eager to begin a new chapter in the UK with his partner and his five-year-old jack russell terrier, Milo.

But instead on March 18, just 45 minutes after Mr Whatnall handed his dog to AeroPets, an international pet transport company, the company informed him that they had lost Milo.

“I got a phone call saying that Milo had escaped and taken off and was now missing somewhere in the Tullamarine industrial estate about 5km from Melbourne Airport,” he said.

“My partner and I turned around and searched around Tullamarine, but we couldn’t find Milo.”

Milo, the 5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who escaped from a pet transportation company has been found and captured. Photo: supplied.

It comes 17 days after Bendigo’s Jason Whatnall handed Milo to AeroPets, an international pet transport company to take the pooch to the UK.

But instead on March 18, just 45 minutes after Mr Whatnall handed his dog to AeroPets, an international pet transport company, the company informed him that they had lost Milo.

“I got a phone call saying that Milo had escaped and taken off and was now missing somewhere in the Tullamarine industrial estate about 5km from Melbourne Airport,” he said.

“My partner and I turned around and searched around Tullamarine, but we couldn’t find Milo.”

Milo, the five-year-old Jack Russell terrier escaped from the pet handlers at AeroPets’ warehouse in Tullamarine. Photo: supplied

Milo’s owner Jason says he will do “all he can” to find his beloved dog while stuck in the UK. Photo: supplied

Mr Whatnall, 35, said AeroPets told him Milo had gotten away when a staff member tried to get him out of a cage but claimed its explanation was vague.

“It’s not clear exactly what happened. But it was done in an open area without closed gates. I think there weren’t real processes in place,” he said.

AeroPets along with local lost pet groups have been searching for Milo for more than two weeks.

“I’m hoping the company will come up with another plan, but honestly, it’s been very frustrating.”

Jason Whatnall (left) with his partner Nick and Milo. Photo: supplied.

An AeroPets spokesman said Milo had bitten the staff member while being transferred from the travel container to the warehouse before making his escape.

“We advised the owners what happened immediately who came in and helped with the search for a few hours. The owners of Milo then took a flight out of Australia before finding Milo,” he said.

The spokesman said they have continued searching for Milo “both day and night” since he ran away.

“We have handed out hundreds of flyers in the area to neighbourhoods and businesses to assist and put food and cameras out in the night to help and have engaged social media groups,” he said.

“We have also flown in extra staff from Brisbane to assist on the ground search.”

The spokesman also said the pet transportation company was not made aware that Milo was scared of people and vehicles.

“We will continue to assist the community in the search for Milo.”

AeroPets spokesman said they were doing everything they could to find Milo. Photo: supplied.

Mr Whatnall, who is in the UK, said he could not change his flight to stay behind to search for Milo because his work visa condition gave him a limited window to arrive.

“It’s been tough being in the UK, being so far away, and feeling so helpless because I am not there searching myself. I’ve contemplated getting a flight back to Australia so I can help with the search, but it’s not the most realistic decision to make right now,” he said.

Milo, the five-year-old jack russell with his owner, Jason Whatnall and his partner Nick. Photo: supplied.

Mr Whatnall said his biggest fear was that Milo was “in the hands of someone that did not want to hand him over,” but he was hopeful that “his boy” and he would reunite.

“I am hopeful he’ll survive because everyone tells me dogs have fantastic survival instincts. It’s been over 10 days, so hopefully he’ll let his guard down, come out from hiding and seek human help,” he said.

“I am also worried he’s out there in the storm and rain, but I am hoping the weather might have thrown him out (to seek help).”

“At the end of the day, we are all human, and people and businesses make mistakes. I just hope businesses that handle pets can learn from this and realise the importance of protocols. Things are in place to prevent escape and ensure their safety because that’s what they are paid for.”