A PORLOCK dog owner's worst fears became reality this week when she discovered her Yorkshire Terrier had died after spending almost five weeks on Exmoor.

Dorothy Toon's five-year-old pet Patty escaped from Pitleigh Boarding Kennels at Wheddon Cross shortly after Christmas and was on the run in the atrocious weather conditions.

Walkers discovered Patty's body at Triscombe Farm, a few miles from the kennels and near to where Mrs Toon and an army of helpers had been searching.

Mrs Toon and a friend even spent three hours camped out in a barn at Triscombe Farm in the belief that Patty was nearby.

It is not known how long Patty had survived but walkers and horse riders reported sightings up to two weeks ago.

The story of the dog's escape while her owner was away at Christmas touched the hearts of many and sparked an overwhelming response from dog owners and well wishers.

As time passed and a cold snap kicked in, Mrs Toon became increasingly frustrated as she arrived at spots were glimpses of the dog had been reported but was too late.

The RSPCA was enlisted to help and it set a fox trap to try to entice Patty inside, but caught only a ginger cat.

Mrs Toon said: "This is now the end of a long sad and upsetting saga. It has been so frustrating that I never found her. But I would like to thank everyone who went out looking and traipsing all over the moor."

Patty has since been buried at Pitleigh Boarding Kennels.