A BELOVED baby skunk has worried his owner sick after being missing for nearly three weeks.

Wiggy the skunk is believed to have travelled more than 12 miles from home after escaping its outdoor hutch in Witham on Wednesday, October 4.

Since his escape, there has been one confirmed sighting in Eight Ash Green on Saturday, October 14 and two possible sightings in West Bergholt.

Gazette: Adorable: Wiggy the skunk in his hutchAdorable: Wiggy the skunk in his hutch (Image: Kim Shelley)

A Facebook group set up to help find Wiggy now has more than 900 members, all hoping for the skunk to be returned home.

Owner Kim Shelley bought the baby skunk at six months old, just six months ago.

She keeps the brown skunk in a hutch outside, but during the night he managed to rip open a hole and escape.

Gazette: Cuddly: Wiggy with owner KimCuddly: Wiggy with owner Kim (Image: Kim Shelley)

Kim said: “I had a panic attack when I saw that he had gone. I rang my partner, and he couldn’t decipher what I was trying to say and I have had a few panic attacks since.

“I would advise people to keep a distance because if he feels threatened, he might hiss to start with and he can and could spray. He hasn’t in the six months I’ve had him, but he could.

“He’s been out there for more than two weeks so I don’t know what that’s done to his personality.

Gazette: Baby: the one year old skunkBaby: the one year old skunk (Image: Kim Shelley)

“I would advise people to keep a distance but follow him until someone can get there.

“He can be bribed with food, chicken drumsticks, cheese or boiled eggs.

“He is my baby. He likes cuddles, affection and likes to play. I take him on walks around the field on a lead.

Gazette: Missed: Kim is praying to be reunited with WiggyMissed: Kim is praying to be reunited with Wiggy (Image: Kim Shelley)

“I am incredibly grateful to everybody who has been searching for him and sharing the post.

“Clare Davis helped me make the group and put torches out.

“Without my friends and the support, I wouldn’t have coped as well as I have.

Gazette: Walkies: Wiggy is usually seen walking around on a leashWalkies: Wiggy is usually seen walking around on a leash (Image: Kim Shelley)

“If I do get him back, I will have to do something where everyone who’s helped can come along and meet Wiggy.”

If you believe you have seen Wiggy, please contact Kim Shelley on Facebook or any of the admins on the Wiggy’s Great Escape Facebook group.