RESIDENTS of the Isle of Man are showing true community spirit by searching for a dog that has gone missing from Onchan.

Harley the Husky, and his mother Lyka, went missing on November 30 during a storm. 

Both dogs managed to escape from their run but Lyka was found near to home shortly afterwards. Harley, who is black with white markings, has not been seen since.

His owner Marco Leonetti said: "We have had Harley since he was 10 weeks old. He is a massive part of our family and loved by all. Losing him and not knowing where he is has been very difficult to digest – we didn't think it would affect us the way it has."

A Facebook Page – Find Harley the Husky Dog – which has been set up to coordinate a search for Harley has attracted more than 2,000 supporters.

Some of these supporters have been out in all weather conditions trying to find Harley and bring him home.

The search so far has been around the Onchan area – in particular around Windy Corner, Glen Roy and the Axfnell and Conrhenny plantations.

The Facebook Page is also updated with potential sightings of Harley of which there have been two. Members of the public reported seeing a dog matching Harley's description outside Ballachrink Stores and near to Windy Corner.

The police, coastguard, post office, MSPCA, Bus Vannin and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture have all been informed of Harley's disappearance.

Marco has also taken Lyka out on searches in the hope that Harley will smell the scent of his mother and come out of hiding.

Marco has expressed his thanks to everyone looking for his dog calling them "truly amazing". He said: "Where in the world would you get the amount of support to find my boy other than this beautiful Isle of Man? My son said how proud he is to be Manx."

Members of the public have been asked to check their gardens, outbuildings and any barns or farmland that they own to check whether Harley has managed to shelter inside.

According to Marco anyone that does spot Harley, who was wearing a collar when he disappeared, may have to "rugby tackle" him as he can be quite shy and nervous. He is also said to hate the rain.

Anyone who would like to join the search for Harley is asked to post a message on the Facebook Page where the searches for this weekend are being coordinated.

Anyone who spots Harley or thinks they know where he is should contact Marco on 07624 496495.