Joy as lost dog Jasper is reunited with owner in Hurstpierpoint

Jasper, a one-year-old whippet, vanished from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire in September.

One month later, Hurstpierpoint resident Natasha Carr saw Jasper chained to a caravan and was concerned he was malnourished. She gave some money to a man who appeared to be his owner to take him home.

She said: “He looked so neglected I had to do something and immediately took him home.”

However, Jasper gave Natasha the slip and was brought into Heath Veterinary Clinic last Thursday after being found by Hurst resident Wendy Jones.

Vet Rhian-Mai Jones scanned Jasper for a microchip and contacted Michael, Jasper’s owner, who was ‘shocked and elated’ to hear the news.

Michael said: “We honestly thought that we’d never see Jasper again and cannot thank Wendy and Heath Vets enough.”

Natasha also came to the clinic to see if Jasper – who she called Blue – had been found, but had to say goodbye after learning the whippet’s real owner had been traced.

Emily Chadburn, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Heath Vets, said: “Microchipping is extremely important.

“Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a more permanent form of identifying a dog, although the law does state all dogs must wear a collar and tag wit h their owner’s details on it.

“At Heath Vets we speak daily to pet owners about the importance of ensuring their pets are microchipped and in conjunction with Dogs Trust we are able to offer this service to dogs completely free of charge.

“We have also extended the free service to cats too.”