OWNERS of a missing dog have appealed for help after she ran off in a fright five weeks ago.

Victoria Calcutt and her family are keen to speak to anyone who might have seen their Tibetan Terrier called Tilly, who bolted from a field in West Oxfordshire after being scared by a group of dogs.

It is feared Tilly might have been stolen as a determined search to find her has so far been unsuccessful.

The eight-year-old pet was on a walk with Mrs Calcutt in Daggers Hill, Long Hanborough, on Saturday, September 15.

A group of eight dogs being walked in the same field bounded up to her, and she ran away onto Main Road.

Mrs Calcutt said: "I think they might have wanted to play. She has always been a nervous dog and she got worried."

Passersby tried and failed to catch her and she was not spotted again until she had reached the neighbouring village of North Leigh, when she was seen wandering through gardens and into a field opposite the Woodman Inn.

In a post shared on Facebook yesterday, Mrs Calcutt said: "Somebody, somewhere knows something. Could we ask that you continue to be vigilant and please keep a look out.

"If you see someone who has suddenly acquired a dog that looks like Tilly, let us know.

"We are determined to find out what has happened to our beautiful girl and get her home where she belongs with her family."

There were several reports of a dog matching Tilly's description on October 5, all in Witney.

At 10am someone thought she was in the field behind the BP garage on Hailey Road, and at 11.30am another sighting came in from Mill Street, when she was heading towards The Windrush Inn. 

Two days later, a fisherman thought he saw her at about 1.30pm in fields behind the same pub, and a farmer's wife also called in a report from the same location at about the same time.

There have been several possible sightings since then, though many have turned out to be different dogs.

The family has informed the area's dog warden, DogLost Oxfordshire, the Blue Cross, RSPCA, Great Western Railway, farmers, a nearby gamekeeper and estate manager, to keep an eye out for Tilly.

They have posted about Tilly's disappearance on two websites and 11 different Facebook pages, including a dedicated page called MISSING TILLY TIBETAN TERRIER OX29, which has gathered almost 600 members.

A trained dog tracker has scanned the area three times and search parties have been sent out, as well as a poster and leaflet campaign in Witney and surrounding villages, but still there is no sign of the animal. 

Tilly is described as being about the size of a spaniel or fox, with shaggy grey and white fur.

Anyone who sees a dog that could be Tilly has been advised not to chase her, but to call the contact details listed on her Facebook page.