South West man Nic Rosatohe offers $10,000 reward for safe return of beloved pet dog Whippy

The distraught owner of a missing black whippet is offering a $10,000 reward for the safe return her beloved hound.

Whippy, the “one true love” of Nic Rosatohe, has been missing since the morning of Easter Monday.

Mr Rosatohe was walking the four-year-old about 10am when, excited by a group of kangaroos, Whippy gave chase across their sprawling Boyup Brook property.

Instead of eventually tiring and either stopping or running back like he usually would, Whippy vanished and hasn’t been seen since.

“I followed the direction of where he went, he had headed west towards town. Normally he would come back,” Mr Rosatohe said.

With the local community fronting up in droves to search for Whippy, they discovered two possible gaps in the border fence that he may have escaped through.

“From there his only option was to go into the river, which he’s not ever been that keen on, or up a steep embankment,” Mr Rosatohe said.

Whippy may have been lured towards campers who had been staying over the Easter long weekend at the rodeo grounds, he added.

“They would have been cooking breakfast, he’s got a keen sense of smell and he was very trusting of people. He knew people were friendly, and he loves going in the car because he’s always wanting to go somewhere or do something,” Mr Rosatohe said.

Whippy being an especially vocal hound, Mr Rosatohe said he would be able to tell if he was still in town.

“I can hear him from miles away but I’ve heard nothing. He’s so loud, and he whimpers if he’s sad, which I would’ve been able to hear,” he said.

Every last centimetre has been scoured for Whippy, even the bordering Blackwood River has been examined by canoe, but to no avail.

Mr Rosatohe said he is resigned to two possible explanations. Either his dog was attacked and killed by a kangaroo, or picked up by someone from the campgrounds.

“It’s highly likely somebody has taken him when they were leaving the campgrounds at the rodeo, someone from out of town. Were they travelling through or local? I just don’t know.”

If a kangaroo had killed him, Mr Rosatohe is confident Whippy’s body would have shown up by now.

“And if he’s lost, I can’t imagine him not turning up at a farm or someone seeing him.”

Mr Rosatohe said he can’t live without his best friend.

“He’s my one true love. I’ve had numerous partnerships, kids and grandchildren, but he’s in my heart and soul. He’s the one that chose me and I chose him. He means the world to me.”

“I would swap my farm for him, I don’t care.”

If someone has taken him, Mr Rosatohe wants that person to know that all he wants is Whippy back. He said Whippy could be picked up by someone else, or he could be left somewhere safe to be collected.

Mr Rosatohe added that Whippy was unlikely to be too pleasant of a house guest.

“Whippy is going to make your life hell. He will drive you insane.”

Anyone with information about Whippy’s whereabouts should phone or text Mr Rosato on 0405 224 393.