Tearful moment stolen dog reunited with grateful owners after eight years

This is the tear-jerking moment a dog stolen from its garden eight years ago was reunited with her family.

In emotionally-charged scenes, Daisy the Labrador enjoyed plenty of hugs from loved ones after she was discovered 250 miles following an investigation by the RSPCA.

When Daisy was taken by cruel dog-nappers from the garden of her home in rural Norfolk in 2017, it sparked a national outcry, an appeal from British Hollywood star Tom Hardy and eventually a change in the law to make pet stealing a specific offence.

Daisy’s elderly owners, realising their long lost pet would now be 13 herself, had almost lost all hope of seeing her again until something miraculous happened.

The dog was found in North Somerset and traced back to owners Rita and Philip Potter, and on Thursday, the RSPCA returned Daisy back home and to a loving reunion with her family.

Mrs Potter, now 80, struggled to hold back the tears as Daisy recognised her owners and old house – even after all this time.

Mrs Potter said “Daisy you are home”, as she cuddled her long-lost pet, adding: “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 of 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 now 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, she also now has not just one, but two comfy beds.”

Last week, Daisy was discovered by RSPCA inspector Kim Walters on a routine investigation in Weston-super-Mare – a 250-mile drive from her Norfolk home.

Kim saw Daisy and was concerned about her condition as she had a number of untreated mammary masses.

She explained: “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.

It was the first time Daisy had been to a vet and been scanned, and her microchip revealed who her real owners were.

Kim said: “I contacted them and they were obviously shocked, but elated at the same time.

“They told me about all the efforts that they had gone to great lengths to try and 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 soon once we had made sure she was fit enough to travel and we had arrangements in place for the four hour journey to take place.

“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.”

In November 2017, the theft of Daisy made national news. Witnesses reported how she was taken from her garden and bundled into the back of a van, which was believed to have false number plates. She vanished without a trace.

The story of her theft and the distraught family’s appeals received the support of Hollywood actor Tom Hardy and a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people.

The numbers signing triggered a debate in Parliament about pet theft and eventually the Pet Abduction Bill was introduced in 2024, making it a specific offence for people to steal a dog or a cat.