AssetID: 54601336
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Dog Who Was Stolen 8 Years Ago Loving Life Back In Family Home
Caption: A cherished family dog, stolen from a Norfolk garden in 2017, has finally settled back into her old routine after being reunited with her owners. Daisy, a labrador, was returned to Rita (80) and Philip Potter (88) on February 6 by the RSPCA, following an eight-year search filled with hope and heartbreak. The emotional reunion took place at their home in Old Buckenham, marking the end of a long and painful wait. Since coming home, Daisy has undergone vital veterinary treatments, including surgeries on her enlarged mammary glands, a cyst on her eye, and additional cysts on her neck. Now recovering well, she remembers her owners, her old habits, and still enjoys belly rubs in the garden. Rita shared their joy: "Daisy coming back home has filled a huge void in our hearts and I just can’t believe we have her with us again - it really is a miracle. She added that they often wake up at night to check on her: She is so still and quiet we sometimes worry she has stopped breathing, but I think she just sleeps so well as she feels safe and secure and loved again." Daisy's fascination with grass has also caught their attention. "I think wherever she had been kept it was void of grass, and she loves rolling around on it and having a belly rub," Rita said. Despite her age, Daisy tried running around the garden upon her return, leading the couple to keep her on a leash until she fully recovers. "She had a number of issues relating to her age and as she had been used for breeding - which is why we believe she was stolen - none of which had been treated," Rita explained. Her long-awaited reunion was made possible after RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters discovered her during routine investigations in Weston-Super-Mare on February 2. Concerned by Daisy’s condition and her untreated mammary masses, Kim spoke to her then-owner, who admitted he had owned the dog for a few years but could not provide the medical care she needed. He agreed to sign her over to the animal welfare charity. A microchip scan soon revealed the truth - Daisy had been stolen, and her registered owners, Rita and Philip, had never stopped searching for her. Daisy’s disappearance made headlines in November 2017, after witnesses saw suspected backyard breeders snatch her from the garden and drive away in a truck. Despite police reports, the vehicle - believed to have false number plates - was never traced. Determined to bring her home, the couple launched media and social media campaigns, even gaining support from actor Tom Hardy. They also spearheaded a petition, gathering 100,000 signatures to push for stronger laws against pet theft. Their advocacy contributed to the 2024 Pet Abduction Bill, which now classifies stealing a dog or cat as a distinct criminal offence. For years, there was no trace of Daisy - until, out of the blue, came the news they had longed for. At 13 years old, she had been found alive. After being rescued, Daisy was placed in the care of the RSPCA North Somerset Branch at Brent Knoll Animal Centre. She underwent further examinations, received much-needed grooming, and basked in affectionate attention. Arrangements were then made for Andy Cook, a behavioural welfare adviser, to organize Daisy’s four-hour journey back home. The moment of reunion was deeply emotional. Rita and Philip, surrounded by family, struggled to hold back tears as Daisy wagged her tail, sniffing her familiar surroundings. With overwhelming relief, Rita embraced her and said: "Daisy you are home." Reflecting on their years of uncertainty, she added: "Not knowing if she was safe or if she was loved was awful for us, and we did everything we could to find her." The couple had kept Daisy’s photograph on the mantelpiece, looking at it daily, wondering where she might be. "So it is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and returned her to us - where she belongs - we are so, so grateful." The entire family celebrated her return, with the grandchildren eagerly buying her new toys and treats. "Everyone who meets her loves her. She is adorable and she is the same lovely girl we had before," Rita said. The RSPCA believes Daisy was subjected to years of hardship as a breeding dog. Her unkempt fur suggested she had gone without grooming for a long time. Kim, who found her, was overjoyed: "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."
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Family dog reunion, Stolen dog, Norfolk, RSPCA rescue, Veterinary treatment, Belly rubs, Backyard breeders, Pet theft law, Daisy the labrador, RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters, Tom Hardy support, Pet Abduction Bill 2024, Dog recovery, Lost pet, Emotional reunion, Animal welfare, Senior dog care, Pet rescue story, Adoption and rescue, Animal cruelty prevention, Family pets
PersonInImage: Daisy