An English Cocker Spaniel named Cassie, which was stolen from the front yard of a house in 2013 in the English province of Sussex, was reunited with its owners 8 years later. Reunited with their dogs, the family said: “We are so happy Cassie is back home after 8 years. She is doing very well now and is enjoying our daily walks. Cassie’s three puppies have gone to their new homes and are loving their lives.”
The Sussex police stated that dog theft incidents are “quite rare” and that pets can be kept safe with simple precautions. Making recommendations to pet owners, the teams reminded that dogs must be microchipped, and that photographs of the dogs in their current state must be found so that they can be used during a possible loss. It was stated that the police teams and the microchip company should be informed in cases of disappearance. Saying that many people own pets due to Covid-19, Sussex police stated that this has increased the rate of criminals who steal animals to sell or produce.