Man feared swept out to sea after dog returned home without him and walking poles found

Police have now made the "difficult decision" to call off physical searches for Bristolian Allan, also known as Keith, whose dog returned home alone after a walk

A Bristol man who went on a dog walk and never returned home is thought to have been swept out to sea.

Police have now made the "difficult decision" to call off physical searches for Allan, also known as Keith, who was last seen on December 4, pending new sightings or lines of inquiry. The 73-year-old left his home in Bristol at 9.30am to walk his dog in Blaise Castle Woods, but the dog returned home without him that afternoon.

His walking poles were found by a member of the public, who placed them by a wooden bridge over the River Trym around a mile or two away. Police officers, divers and drones have carried out extensive searches over the last couple of weeks, along with volunteers and other organisations, but he has sadly not been found.

A force spokeswoman said: “Keith went missing from home on Monday, December 4 at 9.30am when walking his dog. Despite extensive searches by police officers, divers and drones; volunteers and other organisations, Keith has not been found.

The weather conditions on the day he was last seen were extraordinary, with the river in full flood, and if Keith did enter the water, he may likely have been swept into the River Avon, estuary and subsequently into the Bristol Channel. There is no evidence to suggest any third-party involvement and Keith’s disappearance remains an active missing person investigation.

While we are no longer actively searching the local area, we will continue to look into any new lines of enquiry should they develop. Everyone investigating Keith’s disappearance, including his family, would like to thank the public for their support and help in trying to locate him. Anyone with information about Keith’s disappearance is asked to contact us."

Anyone who has any information regarding Keith's disappearance has been asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223296391, or complete Avon and Somerset Police's online appeals form.