A DOG owner has thanked hundreds of people from the New Forest who joined the search to find her beloved dog that went missing.

Olivia Horne scoured the forest for four days to find Tabitha the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, supported by the local community, after she went missing in Deerleap.

While it was not a happy ending, as Tabitha's body was eventually found on the railway line nearby, the 45-year-old from London said the support she had received showed the best of humanity.

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She said: "The people of the New Forest were incredible. They were so friendly and caring. I’ve not seen anything like it, they were so kind, and I’d like to thank everyone involved."

Olivia had travelled down on Sunday, 4 June, with Tabitha and her other dog, Alan, for a picturesque visit to the National Park, staying at the Woodlands Lodge Hotel in Bartley Rd, Woodlands - owned by her close friend, Imogene.

However, what was supposed to be a quiet break turned into a nightmare.

Olivia said: “We went for a walk at Deerleap, which is a walk I do every time I visit.

“Twenty minutes into our walk, Tabitha bolted across the field, I ran after her and I heard her scream, but I couldn’t see her."

In hindsight, Olivia thought she must have crossed the railway line.

She said: "There were two dead, rotting badgers by the track and the breeze must have carried their scent which caused Tabitha to run off.

“She’d never put a foot wrong in 13 years, so it was really worrying for her to disappear like that.”

Daily Echo:

Olivia then began her search - and thanks to flyers made by the hotel, word spread in person and through social media, leading to hundreds of people calling up Olivia offering their help.

Olivia said: “I had one man bring me battery packs so I could power my phone all day and people were finishing work and then walking along with us at 9 o’clock at night in search of Tabitha.”

Unfortunately, it was not a happy ending.

After four days of searching, Tabitha was found on the railway track near to where she went missing. She appeared to have been electrocuted by the railway line.

Olivia said: “I’m heartbroken. Tabitha didn’t need to die like that. She was so fit for her age and was the sweetest, kindest, most generous dog you could ever wish for."

But she will never forget the kindness shown to her by the New Forest community.

Olivia also felt the fence around the railway line needed to be better maintained, as Tabitha had managed to climb through a hole to get on the tracks.

Network Rail has been approached for comment.