A chuffed dog owner has been reunited with his pooch over FOUR YEARS after she was stolen.
Francis Briley’s Springer Spaniel called Jess was pinched when she was pregnant.
She was taken by thieves on 16 July 2020 – during the Covid lockdown.
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The 50-year-old is convinced they were stolen for breeding.
Jess’s litter of pups – she was set to give birth to 10 days later – could have sold for thousands of pounds each.
Demand was high for Springer Spaniels at the time which was heightened by the pandemic.
Francis, of Smarden, Kent, was stunned when he got a call to say Jess had been found.
She’d been spotted 26 miles and a 50-minute drive away in Wrotham.
A member of the public took her to the vet and her microchip revealed Francis’s details and she was returned.
He told Need To Know: “Obviously I’m delighted to have Jess back after all this time.
“But owners should be vigilant.”
Francis added: “This not only sends out a message to others who have lost their dogs to never give up hope.
“But also to make sure your pet is microchipped and details are up to date.
Jess was stolen with three other of his dogs.
Rafa was reunited with him straight away.
One – named Daisy – was found two years ago 70 miles away in Bracknell, Berks.
Poppy is still missing.
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