Mataikona’s missing dogs

Two-year-old St Bernard, Chica, has been missing from her Mataikona home since April 23. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

GIANINA SCHWANECKE
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With the average St Bernard weighing from 64 to 120 kilograms and standing from 65 to 80 centimetres tall, the Haab family’s dog Chica would be hard to miss.

However, the two-year-old has been missing for close to two weeks and her owners, who live at Mataikona Station, are growing increasingly worried.

Astrid Haab said Chica disappeared after going for a walk with other dogs on the farm on the afternoon of April 23.

“She’s never run away before or been out at night,” she said.

The family have lived on the property for close to 10 years and know most of the other residents.

She said they had noticed two unfamiliar cars on the beach the morning of her disappearance and the family was increasingly worried Chica had been taken.

Search efforts included using thermal imaging, flying a drone over the property, and getting a helicopter to have a look in the area.

Haab said the hardest part was “not knowing” what had happened.

Chica is microchipped and has been registered as missing so anyone who brings her in will be notified that her owners are looking for her.

She is one of four dogs to go missing in the Mataikona and Castlepoint area in recent weeks.

Two hunting dogs have yet to return after going missing from a bush block on Pack Spur Rd more than a week ago, while a fox terrier reported missing had since been found.

Due to covid-19 travel restrictions, Rachel Lyon from Missing K9 Response Wellington has been unable to send a team to help with the search.

She asked that people keep an eye out for any suspicious vehicles in the area and report any possible sightings.

“At this stage it’s really difficult to say what has happened to these dogs.”

Any information about Chica can be reported to 06 372 6955.