A beloved school therapy dog whose theft left hundreds of pupils and staff distraught has been found safe and well, following a three-day search that involved police and a widespread social media appeal.
Heartbreak as Beloved Pet is Snatched
Mabel, a four-year-old Puli breed dog, was stolen from her home in Hazel Street, Hucking, near Sittingbourne, Kent, at around 9am on Thursday, 8 January. The dog, originally rescued from Hungary, belongs to Emma Butler, the assistant headteacher at Tenyham Church of England Primary School in Teynham.
Mabel is a regular and adored visitor to the school every Wednesday, where she works as a therapy dog, interacting with children and staff. Her sudden disappearance prompted an immediate report to Kent Police and launched a desperate hunt to bring her home.
Community Rallies in Extensive Search
The search for Mabel saw the use of drones as authorities and the local community scoured the area. A powerful social media campaign was launched, with Emma and supporters sharing appeals far and wide in the hope someone had seen the distinctive, corded coat of the Puli breed.
Miraculously, just three days after she was taken, Mabel was spotted in Darenth Country Park in Dartford – approximately 30 miles from where she was stolen. She was taken to Mead Vets, where a thrilled Emma was swiftly reunited with her cherished pet.
"The Best News": An Emotional Reunion
Expressing her immense gratitude, Emma Butler, 49, stated, "Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart. It is the best news." She emphasised the crucial role the public played in Mabel's safe return, saying, "I am so grateful to everybody who took the time to share and spread the word. Without this I don't think she would have been found."
She added, "She is a massive part of our lives. And everyone who meets her falls in love with her. As a therapy dog she's been going to my school every Wednesday for two years and is adored by all the pupils and teachers."
A Kent Police spokesperson confirmed: "We received a report that a dog was stolen from a property in Hazel Street, Sittingbourne. Officers are conducting enquiries including speaking with the owner of the dog to gain the full details." The investigation into the theft is ongoing.
