A dog that was stolen during a home burglary 18 months ago has been reunited with its owner, after a person in Buckinghamshire tried to change the animals’ ownership.
Paris the chihuahua was taken from a property in Wiltshire during a raid in October 2019, and despite an investigation from Wiltshire Police, there was no sign of the pooch.
However, Paris’ owner, Lisa Lockey, was made aware this month that someone from Bucks had tried to change the legal ownership of the canine, which had been microchipped.
Paris the chihuahua was stolen in October 2019 in Wiltshire but was found in Buckinghamshire (SWNS)
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Following the discovery, Lisa was contacted by pet database, Petlog, who informed her of the news, before the Swindon-based dog lover contacted the police who were able to reunite the chihuahua, who is now pregnant, with her family.
What Lisa put on Facebook
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Liz Webster who helped us bring our beloved Paris home. Without her...
Posted by Lisa Lockey on Friday, 23 April 2021
Lisa also revealed that her other dog, Princess, was badly beaten by the intruders when the burglary happened in 2019.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: “We came home to find our hall covered in blood, Princess was in a bad way and Paris was missing.
"Princess had obviously tried to protect Paris and our home.
Paris was stolen in October 2019 (SWNS)
“Happily, she made a full recovery."
It was later revealed that Paris’ new owners had purchased her from a pet shop in London in December 2019, not knowing that she had been stolen.
Inspector Gill Hughes from Wiltshire Police said: "This was a case where a person bought a dog from a pet shop believing it to be legal, only to find out later that the animal was indeed stolen property.
"I would urge anyone buying a dog or puppy to do their research beforehand and to go through the check list of do's and don'ts in buying one. Even if you are purchasing from a shop.
"Thankfully, the dog - along with puppies - has been reunited with its rightful owner now.
Paris is now back home after nearly 18 months (SWNS)
"This also has a message in the tale - as the dog was microchipped and registered with Petlog.
"When someone went to try and change the ownership it was flagged to the original owner.
Paris is safe and well (SWNS)
"Without that, I doubt we would have ever found the animal.
“It pays to microchip your pets."
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