Owners are appealing for help to find their dog who was last seen swimming out to sea.

Jay and Clary Purdie say their dog, named Kumiko, climbed on furniture and jumped out of an upstairs window of their Herne Bay home on Friday evening.

Jay said: “We’ve only had her a week and she’s very fearful of people. She ran through the Hampton area to the beach and along the rocks.

“Witnesses said they saw some local lads trying to catch her, but because she was being chased she got scared and ran further away.”

Kumiko ran onto the pier and was last seen jumping into the sea at around 7.20pm and swimming out before people no longer had sight of her.

Jay continued: “The coastguard came out and the local dog rescue team used a kayak to search for her but they haven’t found her.

“She’s incredibly afraid of people so if someone does find her, they shouldn’t approach her, the best thing to do is to call us or to coax her out with food.”

Anyone who sees Kumiko should call Jay on 07943 775731.