Police defend issuing appeal for missing dog before man

A POLICE force yesterday defended a decision to put out an appeal for a missing police dog before issuing one for the man for whom she was searching.

Friends of Shane Austin, 38, from Somerset, who disappeared earlier this month, have expressed disappointment officers first went public with the name of the German Shepherd, Kessie.

Avon and Somerset Police said yesterday they had to exhaust all avenues before they released a missing person’s identity.

The press release about the dog “in no way detracted” from the hunt for Austin, the force said, adding that it was in close contact with his family.

Kessie, who went astray during the search for Austin in Over Stowey, has been found safe and well.

But Austin, earlier described as vulnerable, is still missing.

The appeal for Kessie was posted on the police website on the morning of Sunday April 4.

Austin’s name was not featured in the bulletin. The site was updated around an hour later with news of Kessie’s safe return to duty.

The appeal for Austin was posted online just before 3am on April 5, the following morning.

The press release said he had gone missing from his home in Cannington, near Bridgwater, and that there had been “possible sightings” of him in the Quantock Hills, at Over Stowey, and also in Watchet.

Officers said they were becoming “increasingly concerned” for his welfare.

But Austin’s friends have accused the force of being insensitive about the timings of the appeals.

Jo Ward, 43, told the Western Daily Press: “I do think it’s rude and insensitive to the family the way they have done this.

“All of us have been out looking for Shane and, in fairness, the police have had a massive search for him out here and put a lot of resources into it. Maybe it’s someone being totally and utterly thoughtless or maybe they value the dog, I don’t know.”

The missing man’s family have made no comment.