MYSTERY surrounds the disappearance of a search and rescue dog from Stainforth.

Border Collie Rhona has searched for injured climbers and missing people across the world.

But now, after 14 years of helping others, she needs a helping hand herself.

Bred by Andy Colau, of K9 Search and Rescue, based in Stainforth, Rhona was last seen on Saturday night.

"I let her out with my other dogs, Ffionn and Tara, and I went with them. In just half a minute she had just gone," said Mr Colau.

"It was so quick. We looked all around the village and some friends came out and we searched until 1.30am.

"We searched the grass verges in case she'd been hit by a car, but didn't find anything. She has never run off before. It's very upsetting, a total mystery."

He added: "If anyone has taken her in, please bring her back and there will be no questions asked, none whatsoever, even if it's not the sort of news we want to hear. We just want her back."

Just two months ago Rhona discovered the body of a man at Langcliffe Quarry. After that, Mr Colau decided to retire her from active duty as, aged 14, she is deaf and going blind.

Rhona hails from a distinguished background.

Her mother Gael featured in award-winning photographer Sid Perou's 1985 film "Search Dogs of the Summit".

She also has a link with the Herald, as Andy saw her grandmother advertised in our columns "free to a good home".

Mr Colau, also a member of the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Association, trained Rhona with SADA, the Search and Rescue Dog Association. In recent years he has specialised in disaster searches.

He said: "Rhona has been on loads of searches, too many to name.

"In 2000 we went to Ibiza to look for Geoffrey Hodgson, a 38-year-old man who had a mental age of eight. Sadly he has just been found dead, a mile outside of our search zone. I was planning to go to the funeral with Rhona."

Andy is appealing to readers, particularly in the Stainforth area, to keep an eye out for Rhona as he doesn't believe she has gone far.

Rhona, is a tri-coloured Border Collie with brown patches over her eyes. She was wearing a collar with a green and white plastic disc which reads "K9 Search and Rescue, Andy Colau, 01729 824505."

She also carries a microchip for identification purposes, which is placed between her shoulders.

Anyone who spots Rhona is asked to telephone Andy on 01729 824505.