A DOG who made his own way to the pet shop when he got spooked features in best-selling crime author Peter James’s latest book.

It was a “tail” with a happy ending when spooked beagle Fatso raced to a busy road but then waited patiently at a pelican crossing to cross and headed into his favourite pet shop for treats.

Staff at the shop on Warren Road in Woodingdean gave treats to Hudson the beagle, nicknamed Fatso, while his panicking owner spent two hours frantically searching for him.

It was only when Luigi Paiano, co-owner of Paws With A Cause, rang Ray Packham to let him know Hudson was there that he knew his beloved pet was safe.

Now the story has been immortalised by bestselling crime author Peter James in his latest Roy Grace novel Dead At First Sight, which is based in Brighton and has just been published.

The real life incident happened at Woodingdean Lawn Memorial Park, near the Nuffield Hospital, where Ray, who worked for Sussex Police’s digital forensic team before he retired, had taken Hudson for a walk.

“A hang glider came down low and frightened him,” said Ray, 51, who lives in Warren Road.

“He jumped over a wall and disappeared. I didn’t see him run off because I was looking the other way. I later found out he had run through Woodingdean Primary School and then got to the pelican crossing on Warren Road.

“He sat down and waited for someone to push the button. The woman who crossed the road told me Hudson had waited until the lights and beeps came on, then he took himself across the road and into the pet shop for food. He’s like a kid in a sweet shop there.

“He was being fed and watered while I was out looking for him. Luckily, the pet shop know him and know I’m his owner so they rang me to tell me he was there. He’s nicknamed Fatso because he’ll eat until he’s sick – we have to watch what he eats.”

Ray added: “He was missing for two hours – it was sheer panic. I’ve had him since he was a puppy and it was the first time he’d gone missing.”

Luigi, who owns the pet shop with his wife Fiona, said: “It was no surprise to me that Hudson found his way here. The shop is like a Pied Piper for a dog and Hudson has that hound sense of smell. We have plenty of treats here and Hudson loves a treat. He seemed very, very happy.”

Luigi, who opened the shop five years ago, added: “It was the first time it happened but has not been the last. Another customer’s dog got lost and by scent he found his way to the shop and was found nearby.”

Ray has known Peter James for almost two decades through Sussex Police.

The author is famous for his diligent research with Sussex Police for his novels featuring Brighton detective Roy Grace.

Dead At First Sight is the 15th in the Roy Grace series.