The heartbroken owner of a dog missing on a mountain top since Boxing Day has said he fears she may never be found. Nine-year-old family pet Esther had been taken for a walk on Coity mountain near Blaenavon by Andrew Banner and his son Liam on December 26 when she suddenly disappeared from view.
The cocker spaniel had fallen into a deep fissure in the ground, prompting a huge rescue operation by emergency services, people from the nearby community and even local caving club members. However, despite exhaustive efforts to retrieve Esther from the narrow and winding 50 foot drop, there have been no sightings of her to date.
And, while thermal cameras were still being sent underground on Wednesday in the hope that signs of life might yet be detected, 58-year-old builder Andrew and his family have had to resign themselves to the fact they may never see Esther again. "It would be a miracle if she turned up alive and well now," he said.
