Family devastated as 'special' puppy found dead after huge search

On Sunday afternoon (December 4), Kerry Harding and the family announced that their Cockapoo, Heidi, was missing after being "spooked" on a walk at Eccleston Park Golf Club.

The cute Cockapoo was bought for Kerry's 18-year-old son Dylan after he was diagnosed with cancer last February.

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Hundreds of people came out to search for the Cockapoo (Image: Kerry Harding)

Desperate to help the worried family, social media posts were shared thousands of times in an attempt to find the dog.

Hundreds of people also came out to search for the lost pup, after reports that she was spotted on the railway lines between Rainhill, Whiston, and Huyton.

After more than 24 hours of searching for Heidi, she was sadly found dead yesterday evening (December 5).

Following the sad news, countless messages of support and condolences have been sent to the family.

Heidi was bought after Dylan was diagnosed with cancer last year (Image: Kerry Harding)

Kerry, 38, said: "Our little family is overwhelmed by the kindness that strangers have shown towards us over the last 48 hours.

"It gives us some relief to know Heidi touched their hearts as well as our own.

"Heidi was a special little pup and she came into our lives at a very difficult time.

"She was given to Dylan to give him a reason to keep fighting his illness. She did exactly that.

"To lose Heidi in the way we did has been very traumatic. Our children have had to bury their pup with her Christmas presents."

Kerry added that the family will ask questions of the relevant authorities about the circumstances of Heidi's death when they feel able to do so.

Kerry thanked the community for their help in the search for Heidi (Image: Kerry Harding)