A FAMILY is desperately searching for their beloved dog after it was swept away in a swollen river during Storm Dennis.

Emma Glancey, 17, from Darlington was walking bulldog Lottie near the River Skerne, in Great Burdon on Sunday.

She said: “We were walking the dog and Lottie was drinking from a puddle and she was swept into the river. All of a sudden she was so far in there was no way we could have gone in.

“She’s a 30 kilo dog and she was gone in a few seconds.”

The Northern Echo: Emma Glancey is desperately searching for Lottie who was swept away in the River SkerneEmma Glancey is desperately searching for Lottie who was swept away in the River Skerne

The brown and tan bull dog, who is just under 18 months old, has been with the family since November.

They spent yesterday searching for Lottie yesterday and are planning to go out again today to try and find her, when they will be looking near the Great Burdon bridge, in the Haughton-le-Skerne area.

Miss Glancey added: “She’s a really big character. I have a French bulldog as well and they were like sisters. She definitely knows she’s missing.”

The Northern Echo: Lottie, who was swept away in the River SkerneLottie, who was swept away in the River Skerne

At the time she went missing, Lottie was wearing a pink collar with a green flash light and sparkly paw print.

Anyone who has any information about Lottie is asked to contact Miss Glancey by calling 07947840652.

They can also get in touch with Dog Lost by calling 0844 800 3220.