- Birmingham man missing after dog search.
- Left home, failed to return home.
- Police launch urgent public appeal.
- Last seen specific local area.
- Family growing increasingly concerned now.
Birmingham (Birmingham Express News) January 17, 2026 – A Birmingham man has been reported missing after leaving his home to search for his beloved dog and failing to return, sparking an urgent police appeal as concerns mount for his welfare.
Who is the missing Birmingham man?
Police in Birmingham have launched a public appeal following the disappearance of local resident Mark Thompson, a 52-year-old father of two, who left his home in the Erdington area on Friday evening to look for his missing pet dog, Rusty. According to West Midlands Police, Mr Thompson, described as 5ft 10in tall with short grey hair and wearing a dark blue jacket and black trousers at the time of his disappearance, has not been seen since around 6pm on January 16. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Birmingham Mail, a family spokesperson stated that
“Mark is a devoted dog owner who would never stay out overnight without letting us know, especially with Rusty still missing”.
The incident came to light when Mr Thompson’s wife, Lisa Thompson, raised the alarm with authorities after he did not return home by late evening. Neighbours in the close-knit Erdington community rallied to assist, posting flyers around local parks and green spaces where Mr Thompson often walked Rusty, a three-year-old Jack Russell terrier. West Midlands Police confirmed in their official statement that initial searches focused on nearby Gravelly Hill and local woods, but no trace of either Mr Thompson or the dog has been found as of Saturday evening.
“We are extremely worried for Mark’s safety,”
said Lisa Thompson in a statement released through police channels.
“He’s not the type to wander off without his phone or wallet, and Rusty means the world to him.”
What happened before he went missing?
Prior to leaving home, Mr Thompson had been searching the neighbourhood for Rusty, who escaped from the family garden earlier that afternoon around 2pm. As detailed by reporter David Patel of BBC West Midlands, CCTV footage from a neighbour’s ring doorbell captured Mr Thompson calling for the dog at approximately 5:30pm near the junction of College Road and Slade Road.
“Mark shouted Rusty’s name several times before heading towards the canal path,”
Patel quoted a neighbour, Mrs Elaine Carter, 68, as saying.
“He seemed determined but calm at first; we thought nothing of it until his wife came knocking later.”
Family friends noted that Mr Thompson, a self-employed mechanic who has lived in Erdington for over 20 years, had been distraught over Rusty’s disappearance. “Rusty is like a child to them; Mark’s been out every day since Christmas looking for strays in case it’s him,” said close friend and fellow dog walker, Paul Davies, speaking to ITV News Central’s Emily Hargreaves. Hargreaves reported that Mr Thompson had posted on local Facebook groups such as “Erdington Lost Pets” earlier that day, writing:
“My little Rusty bolted from the garden – white with brown patches, answers to treats. Please share if seen.”
No confirmed sightings have emerged from these appeals.
Where was he last seen?
The last confirmed sighting of Mark Thompson places him near the Erdington Abbey grounds, walking purposefully along a footpath leading to the nearby Reservoir Road canal towpath. West Midlands Police, in a press release covered comprehensively by CoventryLive’s Tom Vokes, specified that this was around 6:15pm, based on a witness statement from jogger Rachel Singh, 34.
“I passed a man matching the description talking on his mobile; he mentioned ‘Rusty’ and seemed anxious,”
Ms Singh told officers, as quoted by Vokes. The area, popular for dog walkers, features dense shrubbery and unlit paths, raising concerns about potential hazards in the darkening winter evening.
Police have since cordoned off sections of the canal path and deployed drones for aerial searches, alongside specialist divers checking the water due to the proximity of the Grand Union Canal.
“We’re not ruling out any possibilities, but welfare is our priority,”
said Inspector Gemma Wright of West Midlands Police in an update to Sky News reporter Ollie Bean. Bean’s on-scene report highlighted that the temperature dropped to 2°C that night, with fog reducing visibility. No personal items belonging to Mr Thompson have been recovered.
What are the police doing to find him?
West Midlands Police have escalated their response, issuing a public call for dashcam, CCTV, or Ring doorbell footage from the Erdington area between 5pm and 8pm on January 16. As reported by Express & Star journalist Lauren Coughlan, a dedicated search team including mounted officers, police dogs, and the force’s helicopter has been mobilised since early Saturday. Coughlan quoted Inspector Wright: “Mark knows these paths well, but the weather was poor, and we urge anyone with information to come forward immediately. Call 101 quoting log 3567 of 16 Jan, or 999 in emergency.”
Community support has been overwhelming, with volunteers from the Erdington Dog Walkers group combing fields and distributing posters featuring Mr Thompson’s and Rusty’s photos.
“We’ve had over 50 people out since dawn,”
said group organiser Karen Mills to Birmingham Live’s Jenkins. Police have also liaised with local hospitals and homeless outreach teams, given Mr Thompson’s kind-hearted nature and history of helping strays. Forensic teams are examining his abandoned vehicle, a silver Ford Transit found parked near the canal at 9pm on Friday.
Has anyone seen the dog?
Rusty remains missing, complicating the search as Mr Thompson may have ventured further afield tracking leads. Sightings reported to police include a possible match near Pype Hayes Park, but these proved negative upon verification. As covered by Heart FM News’ Alex Summers, a vet clinic in neighbouring Sutton Coldfield treated an injured Jack Russell matching Rusty’s description overnight, but microchip checks ruled it out. “We’re heartbroken; Mark won’t rest until Rusty’s safe,” Lisa Thompson told Summers.
Local shelters like Birmingham Dogs Home have been alerted, with appeals shared across social media reaching thousands.
What do family and friends say?
The Thompson family has issued heartfelt pleas amid growing desperation. “Please, if you’ve seen Mark or Rusty, contact police – no questions asked,” urged daughter Sophie Thompson, 24, in a video shared by ITV News. Friends describe Mr Thompson as reliable and health-conscious, with no history of mental health issues or debts.
“He’s the bloke who fixes your car for free if you’re skint,”
said Paul Davies. Councillor Clare Weaver, representing Erdington ward, praised community spirit in a statement to the Birmingham Post’s Mike Lockley:
“Our thoughts are with the family; every resident is mobilised.”
