A Scots army man who has been searching relentlessly for his beloved dog who vanished last month from Edinburgh has been subjected to prank calls about the pet being found.
The search has continued for weeks and many concerned locals have joined into help, as well as hundreds of posters and even a drone search team. However, Darren Alexander has also been the victim to cruel prank phone calls.
Darren, 36, lives in the Redford Barracks in the capital with his three-year-old collie mix Angus. However, Angus disappeared on November 18 when Darren was away on a trip to Barry Buddon training camp in Dundee.
A friend who was dog sitting Angus believes he crawled under a gap in a fence, in an attempt to chase a fox. Angus has not been seen since.
Darren is heartbroken that his dog is missing. When he found out Angus was gone, he said: “I was distraught, especially as time went on. I didn’t sleep at all that night. First thing in the morning, I got back down to Edinburgh.”
Following the initial shock, Darren is still on high alert, he told Edinburgh Live: “I get minimal sleep. All focus is on him. Very little else matters from an emotional side.
“There’s something special about Angus. It’s always just me and him. I’d rather go out on walks with him than have a beer or hang with folks at the barracks.”
Darren normally spends Christmas alone with Angus in the Highlands, but now, he said: “All my plans are on hold. That’s all stopped until we get him home safe.”
Angus’s loyal owner has left no stone unturned in his month-long search for his pet.
He has done huge pushes on social media, ensuring his posts reach as many people as possible by posting in local forums. He also set up a Facebook page dedicated to finding Angus.
He’s even acquired the help of a dog rescue charity that uses drones to locate lost pets.
Darren has also borrowed another drone from a friend, which he claims he has experience operating from his days in the army.
However, it desperate search has garnered attention from cruel pranksters who pretend to have found Angus.
He said: “You wouldn’t think people would do that, but they do. Most phone up saying they managed to get a hold of him and to meet in location.
“But once I get there, they call me back and shout at me on the phone. It’s happened several times from different people.”
Yet, Darren says he needs to take every claim seriously, adding: “I need to follow everyone up. I need to go just in case. It’s very disheartening and frustrating when it happens. I could be using my time better.”
Luckily, his searches have also connected him with troves of concerned locals who lend support. Many have provided advice, resources, and help.
Darren said: “Lots of people are sending love, people are going on extra walks in different areas. People were even speaking about putting a reward out for info for his return, but I advised not to because I don’t want to increase the prank calls.
“It restores your faith in humanity with how everyone’s coming together and doing everything they can, especially when it has nothing to do with them.”
Darren shared what he would do if he found Angus: “I would just hold him and make sure he’s alright and not let him out of my sight.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.