‘I don’t think we can do much more to find him’: Pet detectives, drones and more used to help find missing dog Odi

Pet detectives are on the case for a family who is desperately searching for their beloved dog Odi after he was spooked by fireworks in Port Fairy on New Year’s Eve.

Extensive searches with pet detectives, drones and tracker dogs have been used to help find beloved missing dog Odi. Picture: Supplied

A family will try anything to find their four legged family member including employing a dog detective, drones and volunteer search parties.

Beloved dog Odi went missing after he was spooked by fireworks in Port Fairy on New Year’s Eve.

“He was tied up to a table at our campsite and the fireworks must have scared him,” said Odi’s owner Yvette Johnston.

“He took off with his leash still attached to the table, just bolting at a million miles per hour.

“Odi eventually got away from the table and was seen near the highway and on Powling Street in Port Fairy.”

The family desperately pleaded on social media for any information about Odi’s whereabouts.

Yvette Johnston and her family are desperately searching for their missing pooch Odi. Picture: Supplied

Odi went missing from Port Fairy on New Year’s Eve after being spooked by fireworks. Picture: Supplied

“We also put up posters around Port Fairy, and even put notices in farmer’s PO boxes to get the word out,” she said.

“It’s unbelievable the amount of support we have gotten.

“It has been just so overwhelming, we have had pet detectives, drones, tracker dogs, and amazing people out looking for him.”

Odi’s owners believe he is either caught up in shrub land near Port Fairy or he has been taken and kept by someone.

“Those seem like the only two options at this point because our search has been so thorough,” she said.

“If he is in the hands of someone else and they are not going to do the right thing and return him, I just hope he is being looked after.”

Odi in happier times. Picture: Supplied

Owner of Arthur and Co Pet Detectives Anne-Marie Curry said her team used all their experience of helping to find lost pets and the best technology to reunite lost animals with their families.

“We do anything from running targeting online ads, calling pounds and refuses to check for the animal, comforting families to more in depth on the ground search,” said Ms Curry.

“We can use thermal drones, drain robots, trail cameras, trackers, online forensics and even surveillance if the animal is suspected to be stolen.”

Ms Curry said in Odi’s case, he would be extremely terrified and possibly even hiding.

“He was not at home, he wasn’t with all of his family and then he would have just taken off with fright as soon as he heard the fireworks,” she said.

“In his mind, everyone could be a threat, everyone is out to hurt him and he is just thinking about survival.”

Mrs Johnston said her husband and her kids were holding out hope Odi would be found safe and well.

“He is not just a dog in our life, he is a member of the family,” said Mrs Johnston.

“We desperately want him back and I don’t think we can do much more to help find him.”

The family has offered a $2000 reward for the return of Odi, and are pleading with anyone who has any information to report it.