Nicola Bulley’s canine Willow would have understood what occurred to her proprietor and sure knew she couldn’t be saved, in accordance with an professional.
Ms Bulley, 45, was final seen strolling Willow close to the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27, 2023, earlier than going lacking. Her physique was discovered on February 19 of that yr after a prolonged manhunt.
The pet pooch was an important a part of the case all through the search. Police stated Willow was discovered “bone dry” and working between the gate to a close-by area and the bench the place Ms Bulley’s telephone was discovered. The animal was not carrying a harness or lead and each had been discovered close to the identical bench, the Daily Star beforehand reported.
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Animal professional Dr Karyn Kanowski has now advised the Daily Star Willow’s uncommon behaviour indicated she understood what had occurred to her beloved proprietor. She stated: “There is no doubt in my mind that Willow knew that Nicola had gotten into difficulty.
“Dogs perceive misery and so they perceive dying. Willow’s unwillingness to depart the world ought to have been the largest indication that her [Ms Bulley’s] physique was close by.
“I cannot know this – no one but Willow can – but from what I know of dog behaviour, if there had been outward signs (thrashing, splashing, shouting) of Nicola’s distress, Willow would have been in the water. The fact that she stayed near the bench, and not in or at the water’s edge suggests that Willow knew her owner could not be saved, but was unwilling to abandon her.
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“Cold comfort, but it suggests that Nicola’s struggle had been brief.”
Dr Kanowski added indicators of misery in canines diversified from animal to animal and wasn’t essentially breed-dependent. However, she stated they’ll embody “pacing, panting, whining, barking, digging, or they may be unwilling to be moved away from an area.”
“Some dogs will be more panicked or frantic, others become withdrawn,” she added.
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Officials’ preliminary idea was that Nicola fell into the River Wyre. Specialist divers had been despatched into the river for weeks on finish in quest of the mum-of-two.
Her destiny was confirmed when her physique was discovered. Superintendent Sally Riley beforehand stated it was “possible” that an “issue” with Willow could have led her to the water’s edge.
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