Camden New Journal - News: Owner reunited with his husky after dog handler went walkies

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Camden New Journal - by SIMON WROE
Published: 8 November 2007

Malcolm Gilroy-Stevenson with husky Layka

Owner reunited with his husky after dog handler went walkies

Man issues warning to pet owners after animal goes missing for two weeks

WHEN an errant dog walker failed to return his prized Siberian husky, Kentish Town pensioner Malcolm Gilroy-Stevenson thought he’d never see either of them again.
But smiles and a wagging tail marked the reunion of one man and his dog this week.
And Mr Gilroy-Stevenson, 69, has a cautionary tale for other dog owners.
The retired university lecturer from Raglan Street, who is unable to exercise his dog because of a chest condition, entrusted his pedigree pet – the breed cost in excess of £1,000 – to a man he had met walking dogs on Hampstead Heath.
He paid the man known as “Adam”, who claimed to be a professional dog walker, £20 in advance to walk 15-month-old Layka, a fortnight last Tuesday and never heard from him again.
Mr Gilroy-Stevenson said: “I was distraught. I didn’t know what had happened to her. I thought she’d been killed crossing the road or attacked by another dog – a lot of dogs go missing on the Heath.
“I’d used him two times before and he’d never brought her back on time, but I took a chance on that. I know I’m partly to blame but I wanted her to run as much as possible. I do the best I can but sometimes I need a little help.”
For five days Mr Gilroy-Stevenson heard nothing from man or beast. His phone calls were not returned and he feared his husky had been killed or sold.
He said: “I’d given up hope. My friend Arlene found him walking the dog on the Heath.
“He didn’t give her back willingly, but my friend threatened to conk him on the beezer.”
“His excuse was he’d had the flu but he could have called me. If I had the strength I would verbalise him with great voice. If the police think I have a case I’m going to press charges.”
Mr Gilroy-Stevenson added: “I hope this will be a warning to other dog owners about who they trust with their dogs. I don’t think it’s all dog walkers – I’m not going to get paranoid. He was just a bad egg.
“I am of the agnostic persuasion, but it did make me believe there was a higher power, at least for the animals.”
A police spokesman said the incident was being investigated as a possible theft, but that no arrests had been made.

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