A missing jack russell who escaped the care of an animal transport company near Melbourne Airport has been captured weeks after he went missing.
The five-year-old terrier named Milo was headed to the United Kingdom on March 18 with his owner, Jason Whatnall, but escaped the care of AeroPets Animal Transport while being moved from his cage.
With Whatnall boarding a flight, professional animal rescuer Nigel Williamson was called in — setting up a cage and playing a recording of Whatnall’s voice over a speaker in the hope of luring Milo in.
Newsletters: Breaking news as it happens. Subscribe now 
Over the past few weeks there were regular sightings of Milo but he is afraid of people and would run away if anyone approached, with Williamson pleading with the public to keep their distance.
On Thursday night, Williamson shared footage of the incredible moment Milo went inside the cage and was finally caught.
He is now being checked over by a vet.
“Can’t thank you enough Nigel Williamson and (his colleague) Toby for all your hard work and dedication to the search and rescue of Milo,” Whatnall posted on social media.
“Over the moon with the result.”
As well as the recording, Williamson had used dog treats and Whatnall’s old clothes to lure Milo into the cage trap.
Whatnall had been unable to change his flights at the last minute to stay in Australia and help with the search.
AeroPets said Milo escaped when he bit the dog handler who was moving him between locations.
The company said it wasn’t aware Milo was scared of people or vehicles.
“We advised the owners of what happened immediately, who came in and helped with the search for a few hours. The owners of Milo then took a flight out of Australia,” the company told News Corp.
AeroPets hired animal rescuers and flew in staff from Brisbane to help try to find Milo in the Tullamarine area.
“We have handed out hundreds of flyers in the area to neighbourhoods and businesses to assist and put food and cameras out at night to help, and have engaged social media groups,” it said.
Whatnall said he has been very satisfied with the way the transport company has responded.
“Our pets are like our babies and we really expect that they’re going to be looked after and safely transported when we’re passing on our pets into care,” he said.
Whatnall’s mother, Jenny Kling, owns Milo’s mother and drove from Bendigo to Melbourne, hoping her dog could find Milo based on his scent.
“I’ve just had people just randomly pull me up on the street now and say, ‘Are you looking for Milo?’ It’s just wonderful community help,” Kling said.
Whatnall also thanked people who have participated in the search.
