puppy stolen tadworth
A rare British Bulldog puppy that was stolen in October has been reunited with her owner.
The lilac puppy worth £16,000, named Lila, was taken from her home in Tadworth on October 17 last year, but following a re-appeal for help in finding her on Wednesday, she was found yesterday evening (Thursday 16 January) in the Oxford area.
Officers were told that a man attended the owner’s address having expressed an interest in buying the puppy, but after being given it to hold he ran out of the property, allegedly assaulting a relative of the dog breeder on his way.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Eloise Lock said: “This story proves just how much a part the public, the media and social media can help with our investigations as without it we may not have found her. For that we cannot thank the public enough.
“We had a number of calls with information about where Lila might be after the coverage the story got in regional and national media. As a direct result of the appeal we attended an address in the Wantage area of Oxfordshire where we found her and thankfully reunited her with her owner that night.
“Although Lila has now been found I would still ask anyone who has any more information about this case to contact us with anything they think would help with the investigation.”
A 29-year-old woman from the Wantage area has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. She has been released on bail until a later date.
Five men - two 25-year-olds, and others aged 24 and 26 who were arrested on November 28, and a 27-year-old, arrested on December 23, have been released on bail until February 19 and 20.
If anyone has any further information relating to this investigation contact Surrey Police by calling 101 (999 in an emergency), or report it online at www.surrey.police.uk quoting the reference number 45140087824.
Related story: Rare British Bulldog puppy worth £16,000 stolen
