The fox terrier was new in town, just staying a couple of nights at the New Norfolk caravan park on the Esplanade, when he was set upon by another dog.

Injured and traumatised, he made a run for it, looking for somewhere to get away, anywhere to hide. Where he went, nobody knew.

Not really knowing where they were, or where to turn, his humans Len and Robyn began a search along the Esplanade, and towards Tynwald Park. While upset and tearful, they found a good deal of sympathy and help along the riverfront, and from the broader community.

Many of those looking were dog owners themselves. Soon, the searchers for Sparky multiplied to include Derwent Valley Council’s animal control officer.

After a cold night out on his own, he was found by a couple of community members the following morning; he was hiding in bushes near the community swimming pool. He’d been badly injured, and needed to be taken to the local vet, the New Norfolk Veterinary Clinic on Burnett Street.

The repair work got underway. Within 48 hours, little Sparky had recovered sufficiently to go back to the caravan park and his travelling humans. At last report, he’s recovering from the ordeal and went home via the Devonport ferry early on Monday this week.

Local people have reached out a second time to help the little fox terrier. By the beginning of the week, the cost of the veterinary work had already been substantially met by the same community, through a Go Fund Me campaign set up by the mayor, Michelle Dracoulis.

“Makes you doubly proud to be a member of this community,” she told the Gazette.