FIVE months after their springer spaniel disappeared, a desperate couple have put up posters, visited a psyhcic and even used the services of a trained tracker dog to find her.
But the last thing the couple expected to face was vicious hate mail branding them 'sad idiots' for carrying out their search.
Clive Denney, 60, said: "So many people in the community have been so supportive but this person has sent us texts, e-mails and even covered up posters.
"I've reported it to the police but it has left me and my wife really unsettled. It seems like someone is watching us."
The abusive messages come as owner Linda, 59, is still spending up to 12 hours a day searching for Molly, a seven-year-old spaniel who vanished on a walk near her home in Stebbing in October last year.
"We're sure that she's alive. We've even caught her on camera in the Springfield area of Chelmsford a week ago," added Linda, who has been setting up CCTV in areas where Molly has been seen.
Shortly following her disappearance, ex-firefighter Clive used his contacts to organise a low-level helicopter search of the immediate area, while a "no questions asked" reward of £5,000 is also on offer to any person returning Molly safely.
The couple, who together run a company restoring aeroplanes, estimate they have put up about 10,000 posters and have even turned to former athlete Jenny Brown, and her tracker dog Tiga, who travel down from Kent voluntarily to assist with the search.
Linda said: "I wouldn't even like to imagine how many miles I've walked around Chelmsford with Tiga.
"He picks up a scent and we just follow, walking till the early hours of the morning sometimes.
"I've learnt so much about tracking lost dogs.
"If and when we find Molly I'd love to help others in the same position using my experience."
However, their determined efforts are being damaged by the anonymous saboteur, who also appears to have taken down posters from the Springfield area.
One e-mail claims to come from Molly herself and reads: "I have left home for good and I'm not coming back... so stop this mad poster campaign in Chelmsford."
"Whoever is doing this is just petty," added Linda.
"I had one woman who believes she saw Molly but didn't realise until hours later she was missing as the posters had been removed.
"I try not to let it get to me but sometimes it's really upsetting.
"I'll be delighted when I'm able to take down all the posters as it means we've found Molly."
Anyone with any information should call Linda and Clive on either 01371 856739 or 07710 809763.
