Blaxton greyhound owner recounts tale of woe over Double Duvet's disappearance

Frank Miller, of Park Lane, bought Double Duvet for £700 on the internet and races him once a week at Askern dog track.

However, earlier this month the four-legged flyer became spooked by the reflective jackets of two ambulance men who were treating Frank for a bad knee - and ran away.

He was only finally tracked some time later after being chased for several hours on the grounds of the nearby airport.

He is now being cared for by specialist greyhound rescue home Tia in Finningley - but Frank says they won't give him back as he doesn't have the necessary paperwork.

"I am 84 and I don't need this," he said.

"All I want to do is walk the dog in the morning and take him to the track once a week.

"He is two and half years old and they don't live very long."

Frank is adamant that losing Double Duvet wasn't his fault - and he is being punished for circumstances beyond his control.

"As soon as he saw their jackets he went all over the place," said Frank.

"I have never seen a dog go as daft as that in my life."

Tia Rescue, who look after greyhounds and shire horses, say that in order to give him back, they would need Frank to have proof of Double Duvet's provenance in the form of paperwork from both his mother and father.

Frank says they also won't let him 'rescue' the dog as they told him they were unconvinced he is capable of looking after him.

When contacted, the rescue home said they didn't have anything to say and hung up.

Frank says he has been involved in dog racing since 1958 and has had 'several' dogs in that time.

Despite his experience in the sport, he says he was recently told by a dog racing expert that Double Duvet was one of the least talented animals he had ever seen.

Nevertheless, Frank says his dog is more of a companion to him than finely honed track hound - and he misses him.

"I just want my dog back," he says.