Stolen farm dog back home after late-night police pursuit of van
I’m glad that the dog was unharmed and we were able to return him safely to his owner within two hours.
Mr Griffin
SUSPECTS DUMPED VEHICLE AND FLED
DOG stolen from a Leicestershire farm has been safely returned after a late-night police pursuit.
The springer spaniel had been taken from the farm near Hallaton at about 10.15pm on Wednesday, March 3.
Later that evening, police were told that a vehicle suspected to be carrying a stolen dog had been driven into the Newark area at around 11.40pm.
Nottinghamshire Police said the suspects had failed to stop for firearms officers.
They pursued the vehicle through the town and to Besthorpe, where the suspects dumped the van and ran off.
The stolen dog was found unharmed nearby but despite a search of the areas the thieves were not caught.
Leicestershire Police are now carrying out inquiries, including in connection with the abandoned vehicle, to try to establish who was behind the theft.
Chief Superintendent
Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We’re taking dog thefts extremely seriously, especially at this current time when there appears to have been a rise in these crimes nationally.
“This incident shows how we work collaboratively with our colleagues across a wide area to track down any suspect and reach a positive conclusion for our victims.
“I’m glad that the dog was unharmed and that we were able to return him safely to his owner within two hours of being stolen.” Detective Chief Inspector at Lincolnshire Police, Jon Shield, added: “This shows cross-border collaboraA tion at its best and we are proud to have played a part in getting the dog home safe.”
Detective Inspector Charles Edwards, from the South Leicester, Market Harborough and Wigston CID, said: “Our officers are currently investigating an incident where a dog was taken from a farm in Hallaton at around 10pm on Wednesday
March 3. It was reported that a vehicle had driven onto the farm and the occupants took the dog before making off.
“We were later informed the vehicle had been involved in a pursuit in Nottinghamshire, before being abandoned. We were informed the dog was found inside. It has since been returned to its owner.”