The Missing Maltese Dog in Abu Dhabi and the Search Across the UAE
Abu Dhabi’s beautiful and peaceful neighbourhood of Al Mushrif received news one day that caught the attention of pet lovers and the general public across the entire UAE. This is the story of Jiku, a two-year-old white Maltese rescue puppy who suddenly went missing just two days after moving into a new home.
This was not simply a matter of an ordinary dog going missing. Instead, over the following weeks, it led to a series of scam calls, rewards worth thousands of AED, UAE-wide volunteer searches, and an emotional roller coaster that made it one of the most widely discussed pet-rescue stories in UAE history.
How Jiku Went Missing in Al Mushrif Abu Dhabi
Jiku’s owner, Priyanka Tamang (who originally comes from Kalimpong, India), and her fiancé love their little Maltese dog more than words can express. Jiku is a microchipped dog whose identification microchip ends with the number 8732.
On 1 July 2026, Priyanka and her family decided to move from their old neighbourhood in Abu Dhabi to a new home in Al Mushrif (near Mushrif Mall). From the very first day in the new home, Jiku seemed a little disturbed. Because of the unfamiliar surroundings, new rooms, and strange smells, he was whining a little and repeatedly going towards the door. It seemed as though he was missing his old home.
On the afternoon of 3 July 2026, the family suddenly realised that Jiku was not present in any of the rooms. They searched the entire house, but he was nowhere to be found. It became clear that while the family was moving or carrying out some work, the main door had remained open for a short while, allowing Jiku to quietly slip outside. In the severe heat, a small rescue dog had made his way alone onto the streets of Abu Dhabi.
Clues and Sightings That Could Lead to Jiku
During the first two days after his disappearance, the family started searching for Jiku on foot and in vehicles around Al Mushrif. The weather was extremely hot, so they thought Jiku might be hiding under the shade of a tree or a building.
However, on 5 August 2026, news arrived that surprised everyone. A local resident reported seeing Jiku between Al Nada Girls’ School and International Community School—the very area where Priyanka’s family had previously lived! This meant that the little Maltese dog had walked several kilometres across the city, making his way towards his old home. Unfortunately, by the time Priyanka and her fiancé reached the location, Jiku had already moved on from there.
Another important lead came from near an ADNOC Petrol Station. A man wearing glasses saw Jiku wandering alone on the road and picked him up in his arms. The man was asking people passing by, “Whose dog is this?” Since no flyers had been put up in the area at that time, the man may have taken Jiku with him to keep him safe. This lead gave the family hope that Jiku was alive and that someone had rescued him from the dangers of the roadside and kept him with them.
How the Reward for Finding Jiku Reached 5,000 AED to 30,500
Priyanka and her family put all their efforts into finding Jiku. Initially, they announced a reward of 5,000 AED . They put up posters throughout Al Mushrif and at major locations across Abu Dhabi.
The turning point came when Gulf Invest (a well-known company in Dubai) saw Jiku’s story on social media. To support this emotional cause, they increased the reward amount and raised it to 15,000 AED.
After that, a local UAE businesswoman and other animal welfare sponsors came forward and contributed additional funds, bringing the reward to 30,000 to 30,500 AED (approximately PKR 2.3 million to 2.4 million)! This announcement attracted the attention of the public across the entire UAE towards Jiku. Priyanka repeatedly made it clear: “We just want our puppy back. Whoever has Jiku, we will not ask them any questions, we will not file a police case, and there will be no legal action. Just return our Jiku to us and take the reward.”
Fake Calls and Scams During the Search for Jiku
As soon as Jiku’s poster and the 30,500 AED reward went viral on social media, opportunistic people and scammers started troubling Priyanka’s family.
The family began receiving dozens of fake calls every day. Some people demanded that money be transferred online in advance, saying, “Send the money first and I will tell you where the dog is.” Some prank callers would call to make fun of them or say things that broke the family’s hearts. However, Priyanka never switched off her phone. She said, “Even if I receive 99 fake calls, I will answer every call because perhaps the 100th call will be from the genuine person who has found Jiku.”
How Volunteers Across the UAE Joined the Search for Jiku
The search for Jiku was no longer limited to Abu Dhabi. This story brought people from across the entire UAE together. Volunteers from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman travelled to Abu Dhabi every weekend to distribute flyers and conduct search walks around Al Mushrif. Priyanka’s friend Gill travelled daily from Dubai to help with the search operations.
In addition, the details of Jiku and his microchip number (8732) were shared with all the Veterinary Clinics (animal hospitals), pet shops, and grooming parlours across the UAE. This was done so that if anyone took Jiku to a clinic for a check-up or vaccination, the doctor could recognise him immediately after scanning his microchip and inform the authorities.
Latest Updates on Jiku and Hope for His Safe Return
Jiku is still missing, but his family has not given up at all. Priyanka and her fiancé have created a dedicated Instagram account, @the_jiku_story, for this mission, where thousands of people check daily updates and reshare search posters.
Priyanka believes that Jiku may be safe in a home where the residents do not follow social media, Instagram, or news channels at all—perhaps an elderly couple who found this little Maltese wandering alone on the street, took him into their home, and have no idea that an entire search for him is underway across the UAE.
Jiku’s story is not simply the tale of a missing dog. Instead, it is an example of the UAE’s community spirit, a family’s unconditional love for their pet, and a hope that is worth far more than the 30,500 AED reward. His family still firmly believes that one day Jiku will surely return home.
If anyone has any genuine information related to Jiku, a possible location clue, or has spotted him anywhere, they can contact the family directly through the official contact details provided below. Official Contact Numbers: +971 50 318 9489 / +971 58 584 7665. Official Instagram Page for Updates and Direct Messages: @the_jiku_story. Jiku is a 2-year-old male white Maltese dog with a microchip number ending in 8732. A 30,500 AED reward is being offered for his safe return, with no questions asked and complete confidentiality guaranteed.