A family from Gloucestershire has experienced a "miracle" reunion with their six-week-old Labrador puppy, who was stolen from their home and later found 170 miles away in Cambridgeshire.
A Distressing Theft in Gloucestershire
The ordeal began on December 30 when a man arrived at the home of mother-of-three Sophie Dann, claiming he had come to view the puppy. In a horrifying turn, the man suddenly grabbed the black Labrador pup and drove off. Sophie and her partner, Dominic, were left heartbroken by the brazen theft of the young dog, named Charlie Romeo.
The Social Media Mission to Find Charlie
Determined to get their pet back, Dominic launched a relentless online search. Remembering the thief had mentioned being from Northampton, he targeted Facebook groups in that area. "I went on a bit of a mission," Dominic explained. His efforts involved posting in nine different Facebook groups and driving for hours to follow leads.
Just four days after the theft, on January 2, Dominic had tracked the suspect to Huntingdon. The family immediately contacted Cambridgeshire Police with their findings. Remarkably, officers located and rescued the puppy just 12 hours later, safe and sound but far from home in the Ramsey area.
A Happy Ending and a Warning to Others
The family is overjoyed to have Charlie Romeo back, a name inspired by the police who nicknamed him 'Charlie' during the rescue. "It was a lot of emotional turmoil but we're very thankful that we've had a happy ending," Sophie told the Daily Mail. She praised the police, calling them "absolutely amazing."
However, the trauma has left its mark. The family now sleeps with the puppies in the front room, and their children are fearful when someone comes to the door. They are keen to warn other breeders and dog owners to be extremely cautious. "We want to spread the word to anyone else going through breeding to be cautious and learn through the mistake we've gone through. It's crushing," said Dominic.
In a touching gesture of gratitude, the family is even considering donating Charlie to the police force. Cambridgeshire Police celebrated the successful rescue on social media, stating: "Thanks to some great teamwork, the puppy was tracked down safely... We're pleased to say this little one is now back where they belong." They added, "Sometimes police work comes with the best cuddles."
