Watch the emotional moment a stolen labrador was returned to her owners after 8 years!
A family from Old Buckenham, Norfolk, England, is celebrating a miracle after their beloved dog was returned home eight years after she was stolen.
Witnesses saw Daisy the Labrador taken from Rita and Philip Potter’s garden in 2017. The thieves were thought to be professionals running a backyard breeding operation. However, despite police efforts, the culprits were never caught and the Labrador remained missing.
“Not knowing if she was safe or if she was loved was awful for us,” said Rita. “We did everything we could to find her, including big appeals on social media which went across the world.”
As the years passed, the family wondered if Daisy was still alive, as she was already 5 years old when she was stolen. Though they refused to give up hope, they feared they’d never find out what happened to her.
“We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her and where she might be,” said Rita.
The Potter’s nightmare finally came to an end by chance, when an inspector from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the UK’s primary animal welfare charity, found Daisy during a routine investigation. Her owner had only had her for a few years and was not the one who stole her. However, Daisy seemed neglected and in need of medical attention, so the RSPCA inspector took her to a vet for treatment.
Once at the vet, a microchip revealed Daisy’s true identity and owners. Soon after, in a tearful exchange, she was reunited with her long-lost family.
Watch the video above to see a stolen family dog finally returned home.
“It is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and have returned her to us, where she belongs. We are so grateful,” said Rita. “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.”
Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter, bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: It's a miracle! Family dog returns home 8 years after she was stolen
