A MISSING dog which left a young Brierley Hill depression sufferer devastated has unfortunately been found dead.

Dana Al-Shaikh,  aged 12, of Madison Avenue, was given the dog – a two-year-old white bichon named Stella – following the tragic death of her brother Omar.

When the dog escaped from their family home early last month, Dana’s mother, Mirabela, asked the News for help.

Following an article appealing for help, many people contacted Mirabela and recommended her to seek support from K9 Search UK, a non profit organisation which searches for lost or stolen dogs throughout the region.

Mirabela said the company helped her produce posters, as well as looking for Stella in reported sighting areas.

Last week the family were given bad news when Stella was found, but was dead after being hit by a car.

Mirabela said: “The team took me to collect Stella's body from a vets in Netherton and I buried her in my sister's garden. We were devastated and did not know what to do.

“K9 offered to help me find another dog for Dana and on Sunday we got a nice cute dog. An 11-month-old Chihuahua named Vinnie.

“I want to thank K9 dog search, as they were amazing and helped my daughter to smile again. They wanted nothing in return, just for Dana to be ok.

“It's nice to see Dana having a new friend and Vinnie is a great boy. He plays and is an active character, keeping Dana happy.”

For more information about K9 Search UK, or to report a lost or stolen dog, visit www.k9searchuk.com or call 07988 433187.