This is the emotional moment a dog stolen from its garden eight years ago is reunited with the family who thought they’d lost her forever – after she was found 250 miles away in Weston-super-Mare.
When Daisy the labrador was taken by dog-nappers from the garden of her home in rural Norfolk in 2017 it sparked a national outcry, an appeal from actor 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 a miracle happened. She was found in North Somerset and traced back to owners Rita and Philip Potter, and on Thursday, the RSPCA finally returned Daisy back home and to an emotional reunion with her family.
Rita, now 80, struggled to hold back the tears as Daisy recognised them and her old house. She wagged her tail furiously and her eyes widened as she sniffed around. Rita said: “Daisy you are home”, as she cuddled the labrador. The couple said they never gave up hope of her being found one day, but did begin to wonder if she’d passed away and they would never find out what happened to her.
“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,” said Rita. “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,” she added.
Back 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, and Daisy vanished without a trace
The story of her theft and the distraught family’s appeals went national and got the support of actor Tom Hardy. The family set up a petition which was signed by more than 100,000 people, triggering a debate in parliament about pet theft and eventually the Pet Abduction Bill in 2024, making it a specific offence for people to steal a dog or a cat.
But all of that didn’t see Daisy come home – until last week. She 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. “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,” an RSPCA spokesperson explained.
It was the first time Daisy had been to a vet and been scanned – and her microchip revealed who her real owners were – Rita and Philip back in Norfolk. “I contacted them and they were obviously shocked – but elated at the same time,” said Kim. “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 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,” she added.
It was an agonising few days between her being found and the long drive back to East Anglia from the West Country, but Rita and Philip had to wait. Daisy was first taken to the RSPCA’s Brent Knoll Animal Centre, where she was treated, cleaned up and began to recover.
Andy Cook, the branch’s behavioural welfare adviser, said it looked like Daisy had been used for breeding. “It seems Daisy has been used for backyard breeding and she has a number of mammary masses, she has slight hip dysplasia and her coat was quite dirty when she came to us as though she had not been groomed for many years,” he said.
“She is quite elderly for a labrador at the age of 13 and we think she is deaf but she is adorable. 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,” he added.
“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 and she has enjoyed all the attention. 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 and she was returned home on Thursday after we managed to arrange transport for the four hour trip,” he added.
Finally, on Thursday, she was back in Norfolk after a volunteer driver brought her to the RSPCA’s animal rescuer in the area, Dave Allen. One of the first things Daisy realised was how much Rita and Philip’s granddaughter Charlotte had grown.
“When she went missing Rita and Philip’s granddaughter Charlotte, then aged five, said all she wanted for Christmas was Daisy back – and now as both her and Daisy share the same age of 13 – she was granted her wish,” the RSPCA spokesperson said.
“She has already enjoyed visits, attention and treats from family members who had missed her and some well-earned rest on a comfy bed,” she added. “Daisy’s amazing story shows the importance of having pets microchipped so if they are stolen or lost they can be reunited with their owners like in this case. It also highlights the issues of unscrupulous puppy dealers and the charity urges anyone thinking of buying a dog to consider adopting from a rescue centre,” she added.
“We’re currently in the midst of an animal welfare crisis with rescue centres overflowing and dogs of all ages and breeds waiting for loving new homes. The RSPCA would like to see better enforcement of licensing regulations of puppy breeders and sellers to ensure dogs are being bred with their health and welfare as a priority. For more advice on buying a puppy, use The Puppy Contract.”
“The North Somerset branch is part of the RSPCA family but is funded independently and relied on public support – you can find out how you can help them here,” she added.