Sheffield family devastated after missing German Shepherd dog found dead

Tracey Birch of Beighton who helped coordinate the search for him said his owner, her sister Dawn was heartbroken by the discovery of her eight year old companion.

She said: “Everyone just feels numb. We are saddened to say that Axel was found in a farmers field close to the iron bridge at Rother Valley. He was found in a hedgrow by a wire fence but at the moment, the actual cause of death is uncertain and he has been taken to the vets for a post mortem.

Axel was last seen alive in Rother Valley Country Park at 5.30am on Friday, 10 January.

Tracey added: “We want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us search for Axel – I can’t believe all the support we have had.

“It has really touched peoples’ hearts. There have been people from all over the country getting in touch with us We have been inundated with flowers.”

2Roost Estate Agents, based in Swallownest had offered a £2,000 reward to find him.

She said the family were setting up a donations page for some sort of memorial to Axel.

“Dawn walked miles and miles with him every day, it was her life and soul. She’s had him since he was a puppy.

“It would be nice if we could put up a little bench where they used to go.”