Joy as stolen dog Daisy returned to her Old Buckenham home after eight years

Emotions ran high last week when a beloved family dog was reunited with her owners – eight years after she was stolen from their garden.

Rita and Philip Potter could not contain their emotions when the RSPCA returned their dog, Daisy, who they last saw in 2017.

The couple struggled to hold back tears as Daisy wagged her tail furiously as she recognised her family and her former home in Old Buckenham.

Rita, with tears in her eyes, said “Daisy you are home” as she cuddled the labrador, who showed her emotion by nuzzling into her and wagging her tail at all the family members who had gathered for the special reunion.

The couple told how they never gave up hope of her being found one day, but, knowing she would be 13 years old, wondered if they would ever find out what happened to her.

Rita said: “Not knowing if she was safe, or if she was loved, was awful for us and we did everything we could to find her, including big appeals on social media, which went across the world.

“We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her and where she might be.

“So it is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and have returned her to us, where she belongs. We are so, so grateful.

“We know she is elderly now and has health issues but whatever time she has left, she will be surrounded by lots of love and attention.

“The whole family was so excited to hear the news that my grandchildren went to buy her toys and treats.”

In November 2017, Daisy’s callous theft made news headlines after witnesses saw her taken from her garden by suspected back-yard breeders, who bundled her into a truck and then sped off.

The couple reported the matter to the police, but the vehicle, which is believed to have had false number plates, could not be traced.

Desperate to have their beloved dog back, the couple took part in a number of press and social media appeals to try to locate her, with support from English actor Tom Hardy, who shared their post.

They also set up a petition, which attracted 100,000 signatures, urging the Government to do more to tackle pet theft – a law which was introduced with the Pet Abduction Bill in 2024, making it a specific offence for people to steal a dog or cat.

The years went by and there had been no sightings of Daisy, until, out-of the blue, they were given the news they had been praying for: that she had been found alive.

She was discovered by RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters during routine investigations in Weston-Super-Mare, when she saw Daisy and was concerned about her condition.

Her owner claimed he had only had the dog for a few years and said he could not take her for the vet treatment she needed, so he agreed to sign her over into the care of the animal welfare charity.

A subsequent scan for a microchip revealed she was stolen, along with contact details for Rita and Philip.

Kim said: “I contacted them and they were obviously shocked, but elated at the same time. They told me about the great lengths they can gone to in a bid to find her and how devastated they were when she was taken from them.

“I was a bit choked up from listening to them and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home, once we had made sure she was fit enough to travel.

“Sadly, although we found Daisy, we don’t know who stole her and would ask anyone with information to pass it to us or the police.”

Daisy was taken to Brent Knoll Animal Centre, where she was examined and given a bath and a good groom.

Andy Cook, behavioural welfare adviser at the branch, said: “It seems Daisy has been used for backyard breeding.

“She has a number of mammary masses, a slight hip dysplasia and her coat was quite dirty when she came to us, as though she had not been groomed for many years.

“She really is the sweetest girl and will wag her tail whenever she sees you, but since she was stolen, it is clear she has had a hard life.

“A lot of her medical issues are age-related but we have cleaned her and given her plenty of TLC, which she definitely deserves after all she has been through.

“I was thrilled when I found out she had such fantastic owners, who were keen to get her back home and lavish her with love.

“We are all aware she may not have much time left but what she does have will be spent in the warmth and comfort of a truly loving home.

“It is a fantastic happy ending and we are thrilled we have been able to help make this happen.”

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