A FAMILY pet who escaped ashore from a North-East ferry is still missing.

Luckie is believed to have got out of the kennel area on a ship before it set sail from North Shields to Holland.

But as the Princess Seaways headed across the North Sea for Amsterdam with his family aboard, the four-year-old cocker spaniel jumped in the water to give chase before the freezing conditions forced him to give up.

The family, who are originally from Poland, were returning to spend Christmas with relatives when the drama unfolded in the afternoon of December 21.

As the family don't speak fluent English they are working with Christine Kipling, who works as a volunteer to help find missing dogs.

Ms Kipling, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, said: “Luckie bolted from an area on board the ferry used to hold dogs travelling with their families.

“Luckie was chased by several people and therefore found his way off the ferry and into the port area.

“He ended up in the water trying desperately hard to reunite himself with his family.”

It is understood there have been sightings of the black and tan dog in the Tyne Port area last Friday.

Now the family, who live in Scotland, is urging people with information to get in touch.

Ms Kipling said: “The ship had already set sail before the family were alerted.

“Luckie remained static for five days under the quay waiting for his family. Five days in perishing conditions he remained loyal, now he has disappeared.

“The family have done everything within their power to put things in place to find their dog and have searched in horrendous weather conditions with their young children in the hope of finding their brave little boy.

“Luckie remains missing, all we have is hope.”

The ferry operator, DFDS, said Luckie went missing from the pet holding area shortly before departure on its daily service to Amsterdam.

“Our staff immediately searched the Port of Tyne and surrounding area but did not locate him on the day.

“Since then, we have alerted the local RSPCA, dog warden and animal shelters to help locate Luckie, and arranged for 2,000 leaflets to be printed, which were distributed by volunteers over the last weekend.

“We have been in touch with the family since this incident occurred and will continue to provide assistance.”

  • Anyone who may have seen Luckie can contact his family on 07717-312-118 or Ms Kipling on 0789-444-9580.