WHAT was meant to be a relaxing holiday in the Suffolk countryside has turned into a living nightmare for one family.Michael Hrynifszak, 46, and his wife Catherine, 37, took their two children, Ruby, 11, and George, 9, and two dogs for a holiday at Nayland Cottages in Suffolk.

WHAT was meant to be a relaxing holiday in the Suffolk countryside has turned into a living nightmare for one family.

Michael Hrynifszak, 46, and his wife Catherine, 37, took their two children, Ruby, 11, and George, 9, and two dogs for a holiday at Nayland Cottages in Suffolk.

But what begun as a peaceful break turned into the holiday from hell when their beloved 15 month old Great Dane, Florence, became frightened by other holidaymakers and ran off on Monday evening.

The dog broke free, ripping her lead out of Mr Hrynifszak's hand, and ran off into the distance with his collar and extendable lead still attached.

Mr Hrynifszak said: “We had sat down with the kids at a picnic bench and a couple appeared from the top of the slope behind us, and the next thing we knew Florence had gone.

“It happened so quickly, she was running away towards the cottages with her lead banging behind her.”

Mr Hrynifszak says the whole family are devastated by the dog's disappearance and they have been searching desperately for her ever since.

He said: “We have driven round for hours trying to track her down, we saw her a few times but couldn't catch her in time.

“I was out until four in the morning looking for her the other night.”

The last sighting of Florence was on Tuesday when she was seen walking on side lane off the A134 without her collar and lead.

The family now fear they may have to leave Suffolk and go home to Leicester without their beloved dog.

Mr Hrynifszak said: “We are reluctant to leave without her, I'm dreading packing up and going back home.

“We really just want to find her.”

The family have been advised by vets that the dog may be hiding up somewhere in the woods or a derelict farm house.

The possibility that she may be making her way back to the family home in Leicester has also not been ruled out.

Anyone who may have seen Florence the Great Dane can call Mr Hrynifszak on 07917 224420.

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