A MISSING dog which was the subject of a search effort at the weekend has been found dead from a suspected heart attack.

Piper, a chocolate-coloured, smooth-coated 4-year-old miniature dachshund ran away on Saturday, February 24 at a farm on the Castle Howard Estate.

The owners and former owners organised a large search effort at the weekend.

In a social media post on Saturday, however, the search organisers said: "It is with great sadness that we say Piper was found on our search today but not alive.

"She was found by one of the search team not far from where she went missing and looks to have had a heart attack, we think before the snow fell.

"We are ever so grateful to all the help, love and energy sent by you all.

"Just need to compose and collect our thoughts but want to let you all know."

The Facebook group set up for Piper has more than 1,200 members, and has attracted nearly 500 messages of condolence.