Stolen sheepdog pups reunited with owner

The seven week old collie pups were stolen from a property at Udimore back on August 12.

The dogs, two of a litter of seven, are worth £300 each and were to be used as working sheep dogs.

Following tip-offs from the public, police raided a house at Darvel Down, Netherfield on August 24 but found no trace of the missing dogs.

But two days later police received an anonymous email from a member of the public saying that someone had posted a picture of them self with the puppies on social networking site Facebook.

On August 31 the person in the photograph contacted police to say they did not know the puppies were stolen but had found the animals and kept them safe at home in Netherfield.

The puppies were brought to Battle Police Station. They were reunited with their grateful owner Leonie Wheeler, almost three weeks after they had gone missing and none the worse for their ordeal.

No charges have been brought in relation to the theft and Mrs Wheeler says she does not want any further action to be taken.

Police say that dog theft is becoming increasingly common in the Rother area.

PCSO James Armstrong said: “It is becoming more and more common, especially with pure breeds because they are fairly expensive.

“It is not rife, but it looks as though it is picking up again.”

Rother Wildlife Crime Officer PC Keith Baldwin said “The work of all Officers involved in this investigation from across Rother District was impeccable but more importantly we would not have solved this crime without the help of members of the public speaking with local officers.

The theft of dogs will not be tolerated and is investigated as rigorously as we would deal with any other crime. The safety and welfare of the animals involved is always paramount and it was great to see the two pups unharmed and back where they belong.

“I’d like to thank DogLost.co.uk too, who have been great in assisting us in getting messages out about the missing pups. I know they have said they are also pleased with the outcome”