A missing skunk has been sniffed out by his best pal - a one-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier.

Squirt, who turned one in May, disappeared from his home at Amazing Animal Encounters, in Collier Street, on Sunday.

The striped mammal, which is native to the Americas, had been spotted in the gardens of nearby residents but it was not until the early hours of this morning that he was found by Spud the dog in Green Lane, Collier Street.

Owner Maria Cooper said: “It’s been a sleepless night, we found him at about 1am or 2am.

“He was spotted at a house down the road which has a Staffie too. I wonder if it felt like a friendly place for him to go.

“The field where he walked across is where I take the dog for a walk.

“He probably followed the trail we usually take and then headed a little bit further.
“He was really pleased to see me and the dog.

“I picked him up and he put his paws around my face and gave me a hug.”

Squirt moved into his home at the beginning of the year following the death of the business’ previous skunk, called Humbug, at the age of nine.

Humbug had become something of a celebrity and was credited with curing the shyness of Maria’s daughter Harriet.

At home Squirt is treated like a cat and often follows his owner around the house and into the garden.

He is never kept in an enclosure.

Removing his scent glands is illegal but thankfully he has a calm personality.

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