A SEARCH is underway after a dog gave his owners the slip at a motorway service station after he became spooked.

Animal Search UK began the ongoing search after Spencer, a two-year-old Shetland sheepdog, ran away from his new owners, Michelle Williams and Marc Lovell, at Strensham services near junction eight of the M5 on Friday.

The animal, which is black, brown and white, went missing on the northbound side of the M5 at Strensham and there was a sighting in the village of Strensham itself on Sunday.

The search by the animal welfare organisation has been launched at no cost to the dog’s owner and has involved dozens of house-to-house inquiries and the distribution of 1,000 leaflets.

The operation involves 10 pet detectives and four vehicles.

The organisation’s founder, Tom Watkins, said the search, which would normally cost thousands of pounds, was being used as a training exercise.

He said: “We’re optimistic and confident that we will track down Spencer.”

The dog’s new owners, Michelle Williams and partner Marc Lovell were taking the dog from Taunton in Somerset to their home in Wrexham in Wales when the animal slipped his collar and ran towards a lorry park while they were stopped at the services.

Mr Lovell said: “Something spooked him and he got out of his collar and shot off across the car park.

“We are upset and we feel like we’re totally responsible for losing him and putting him in danger.

“It’s a horrible feeling. He’s such a tiny dog.”

The couple had taken responsibility for the dog after the previous owner could no longer care for him.

Information can be given to Animal Search UK via their helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven says a week on 0800 4320340.

The reference for Spencer is 32981.