Dog stolen from South Norfolk reunited with owner after police raid

A working dog stolen from South Norfolk has been returned home.

Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 27th Jun 2021

A dog stolen from her home in South Norfolk has been returned home following a police raid in Essex.

Three year-old Bonnie, a working Springer Spaniel, was one of two dogs taken from outside their home on 27th January.

She was reunited with her owner Matthew yesterday, after officers found her during a raid in Wickford.

Her sister Tilly has not yet been found.

Bonnie's sister Tilly is still missing

Sergeant Paul Downes, of the Rural Engagement Team, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be able to make sure Bonnie made it home safely.

“Here at Essex Police we love dogs, not just our hard-working courageous Police Dogs, but many of us have our own four-legged best friends at home, so we don’t underestimate the devastating impact upon owners when they are stolen.

“We hope this shows our dogged determination to act on all crimes reported to us, including thefts of dogs, and we will act on all information received and do our best to keep on arresting those responsible and reuniting dogs with their owners.”

Bonnie’s owner, Matthew, said he “couldn’t thank officers enough” and that Essex Police had done a “brilliant job”.

He is still hopeful that someone can help him with Tilly’s whereabouts and that she will be brought home to re-join the family soon.

No arrests have been made in relation to Bonnie’s disappearance, but four men – aged between 18 and 25 – remain in custody.

All four have been arrested on suspicion of burglary, with an 18-year-old and 25-year-old man arrested under the criminal attempts act.

The 18-year-old has also been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and the theft of a pedal cycle.

It follows the theft of tack from a farm in the local area on 2 May this year.

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