Escaped pet skunk on the loose in Devon

A skunk is on the loose in Crediton. The beloved black and white stinker named Bella disappeared from her home on Monday. Search parties have been desperate to catch a whiff of her strong scent as they pound the streets to try to rescue her. Her owner Tracey Stubbs, 50, said the family are growing increasingly concerned for eight-month old Bella who has never been out on her own before.

She believes she escaped through the back garden as her scent remains there, but her whereabouts since are unknown. Tracey has now issued a desperate plea to the public for their help in reuniting them with their unusual pet. She said: "We have had Bella since March and she has just been spayed. She is only eight months old. She somehow got out the house. We don't know how but she must have gone through the cat-flap and disappeared.
"There is a strong scent of her in the garden so she must have gone through there. We are out hunting for her now. We are very concerned. She has not been left out on her own like this before. She is normally in her own bed but has no food or anything. We are scared what might happen to her. She is a very friendly pet and is going to be very scared about being out on her own." Tracey said they bought the unusual pet from Exeter Exotics earlier this year.
She said: "We have never had a skunk before but she is just lovely. You get used to the smell. We have all been out joining the search and the whole family is all very concerned about her. We just pray she comes back and is OK." Bella was last seen behind a local Tesco Express in Crediton. The owners have now sought the help of staff at the town's St Boniface veterinary clinic. A spokesman said: "If anyone sees Bella the skunk then please contact us."