‘Online taunts’ over Botham dognap

The Yorkshire Post understands that the complaints were made to North Yorkshire Police by Emma Sayle, the girlfriend of Liam Botham, at the weekend, relating to taunts she claims to be receiving on Twitter after her dog Woody, a 15-month-old sprocker spaniel vanished from an enclosed courtyard next to Sir Ian’s farmhouse in Ravensworth, near Richmond, where she was staying.

Liam Botham’s estranged wife, Sarah-Jayne Botham, who claimed on Twitter last week to have secured a divorce, has been arrested and bailed in connection with the missing dog.

A close family friend of the Bothams said a detective employed to investigate the disappearance of Woody has also been threatened. “Emma is really upset by this. She doesn’t understand why it has become personal,” she said. “All she wants is to find her dog.”

A £2,000 reward offered by the family has now increased to £5,000.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said yesterday: “We can confirm that a complaint has been received from a 33-year-old woman from the Richmond area in relation to comments made on internet forums.

“Officers are currently investigating to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed.”