The clouds came down, the fireworks went up, Harry the Shitzu cross scarpered out of fear and Facebook went 'vicious.”

It wasn't the outcome Bethlehem College expected to its movie and fireworks night on Friday.

A $1000 reward is being offered for missing Harry.

But the college is doing everything it can to put things right. It has responded positively to the crisis.

”I have been in touch with Harry's owners,” says principal Eoin Crosbie, who has mustered his forces.

'We have asked our kids to be on the lookout for Harry. There was a group of students out yesterday looking for him and so we are doing what we can. The college is on watch for him.”

Harry the shitzu cross was visiting Miles lane in Bethlehem from Cambridge. He apparently fled in a panic when the fireworks went off.

'He's even frightened of thunder,” explains Jackie Murray, daughter of Harry's owners Sharon and Gary Robertson.

'There was a sighting Friday night,” explains Jackie. 'But he just took off in a frenzy.”

There was another sighting as recent as yesterday in nearby Furniss Lane. 'But those people didn't know he was missing until they saw a flyer half an hour later. But they're 100 per cent sure it was Harry.”

The family took Harry's big brother dog to Bethlehem at the weekend in the hope he might respond to a bark he knew. But no luck.

The family has since posted a $1000 reward for Harry's safe return.

It was a popular night's entertainment at Bethlehem College, with hundreds of people turning out. There was even a show for those who didn't go to the event.

'Got a free fireworks display from my house, yahoo!!” said one Facebook post. 'Dog and cat nervous during but over it not long after. Thanks Bethlehem College for a great display.”

But now it's left wondering if it's worth all the flak.

'Some of the Facebook comments were fairly vicious,” says Eion.

But other comments brought normality.”

Like this one.

'Was a lovely surprise. Going to put the kids in bed and brought them back out to watch from the balcony. No complaints here. Thanks Bethlehem College.”

Bethlehem College did try to pre-empt the problem. 'We did do a letter box drop but obviously we didn't go far enough. That's one of our learnings from this.'

Nature conspired against the college as well. 'It was the perfect storm,” says Eion.

'There was a low cloud ceiling which concentrated the noise.” And the fireworks were heard as far afield as Pyes Pa.

'We have had this event many time before but normally closer to Guy Fawkes. But because there was a movie involved we needed to do it before daylight saving.”

The college now has two options.

'We can either hold the event at the same time every year so people know what to expect.” The other option is more drastic. 'We could can the event.”

Meanwhile the school has been mobilised to keep an eye out for Harry.

Eion says it's distressing to lose a pet like this.

'Harry is a much loved pet. We have offered his owners our support and we will do our bit to find him.”

Have you seen Harry? Call Jackie 021 675551