A KEIGHLEY family are "begging" the public for help following the disappearance of their 10-month-old puppy.

Rebecca Higgins has spoken of her family's "devastation" after their dog Millie - who is a therapy dog for her 10-year-old son, Sam - disappeared near the Marley sewage works.

Millie created a "strong bond" with Sam, who is autistic. The two are "best friends", Rebecca says, and Millie helped to support Sam with his struggles, filling in for where local services failed, she claims.

Millie went missing on 22 May, and although services are aware, she is yet to be found.

"Every day, Sam asks if Millie is home yet. They did everything together", Rebecca said.

"In the last few years Sam has been struggling with anxiety. We decided to get him a puppy, and he really liked Millie, he chose her and named her himself.

"We did online training with her so she could be a therapy dog, and she can now detect Sam's mood swings and comfort him, and can calm him down when he's stressed.

"It's difficult, there isn't a lot of help for children. People don't associate children with mental health issues, they think they just have behavioural problems. There needs to be more services for young people's mental health, they are shockingly absent.

"Millie helped to give Sam purpose and responsibility. But now she's missing, he thinks it's because she doesn't like him, but we're trying to reassure him that that's not the case.

"There are some things he doesn't want to talk to his parents about, so sometimes he would sit with Millie and tell her about his day. I just want him to be happy again and I don't want him to feel like this."

Millie disappeared after entering the Yorkshire Water site, but after an extensive search, she is still missing.

"I think someone has got her. If anyone has any information, please contact Buster's Animal SOS Team. There will be no questions asked, we just want her back", Rebecca said.

If anyone has any information, they can call Buster's on 07858263049 or 07931175135. Bradford Council Dog Warden Service can also be contacted on 01274 433927.