It’s always heartbreaking when a pet goes missing, especially when they are stolen. You’re left worrying about them being in the wrong hands, wondering if they’re safe and if you’ll ever see them again.
But it’s important not to lose hope: sometimes miracles happen, and dogs return to us months or even years later. That was the case for one family, who were reunited with their pet dog eight years after she was taken from them.
According to Sussex Police, Cassie the cocker-spaniel was stolen from the front garden of her home back in 2013.
But recently — eight years after Cassie was stolen — there was a break in the case.
In November, officers from the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team and the RSPCA conducted a series of raids, acting on a tip from a member of the public.
The officers found a cocker-spaniel, along with her three puppies: it was Cassie, found after all these years.
The family was no doubt shocked to get their dog back eight years later. Video shows the heartwarming, long-overdue reunion:
Even after so long apart, Cassie has reportedly reacquainted herself with her family and made herself at home.
Best of all, the reunion happened just in time for the holidays.
“We are so thankful to have our Cassie back home, after 8 years since being separated from her,” a spokesperson for the family told Sussex Police. “Cassie has settled in very well and is enjoying her daily dog walks.”
“It’s a priceless Christmas present to us as a family and we want this to bring hope to others who have had their dog lost or stolen,” they added. “We would like to thank the Police and everyone involved in helping us retain Cassie and her puppies back to us.”
Cassie’s three puppies have also all been adopted into new families, and are “loving their new set family life.”
According to Sussex Police Rural Crime Team Inspector Oliver Fisher, it is “extremely rare for dogs to be stolen” so a case like this is not a cause for undue fear, as long as owners take basic precautions.
But an RSPCA spokesperson said that “the demand for pets has surged in recent years, particularly during lockdown and, as such, it appears that pet theft has become rife,” also urging precautions.
To protect dogs from theft, both the police department and the RSPCA recommend getting your pets microchipped and neutered, securing your home garden with a locked gate, and never leaving a pet alone in a car or outside a shop.
Sussex Police says that they have had success in recent months recovering stolen dogs, and teaming up with the RSPCA to shut down “appalling” puppy farms.
We’re so glad that Cassie is finally home safe and sound after all these years. Thank you to the officers who helped bring her home and made this beautiful reunion possible.
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