Newsagent boss Paul Bedford is stepping up the hunt for his missing parrot while the reward has swollen to £420. The Amazon parrot, known as Bonnie, escaped from its Dumfries home on July 31 and Mr Bedford has been searching for it every night while the 22-year-old bird’s partner, an African grey called Sammy is pining for it.
Mr Bedford, who runs Henderson’s Newsagent in Galloway Street with wife Audrey, said: “It’s just so frustrating, There have been lots of sightings of Bonnie and we got close to her a couple of times but now we are getting a bit worried with the colder weather on the way and darker nights.
“Someone put another £100 into the pot for the reward last Saturday so that’s the reward now up to £420.” Mr Bedford put up flyers in local shops and posted an online appeal on social media prompting replies from concerned pet lovers who had seen the parrot.
He added: “Most of the sightings have been between Deer Park and the old convent. But there have not been so many sightings although her distinctive noise has been heard. People have been fantastic, nothing short of brilliant.
“Bonnie is part of the family after having her for 22 years. We thought she and Sammy would outlive us. I was told by someone that parrots are very resourceful and that she will be feeding from bird tables and getting water there too.
“I put up a picture online of Sammy looking forlornly out of our back window for his partner and I noticed there were 500 views on Facebook so there’s a helluva lot of people showing interest out there. We are beginning to get worried now with the change in the weather and it is getting a little bit colder.
“The other day I was opening up the shop at about 6am and I don’t think I have ever seen rain like that in my life. It was awful.
"I am still kicking myself that she flew out a door when I was doing a bit of gardening that day five weeks ago but what can you do. But it just needs a little bit of luck and everything changes.
“That’s what we are holding out for.”
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