A GRATEFUL Midlands family have thanked eagle-eyed Vale residents who helped reunite them with their beloved dog.
Coco, a female Sprocker, was snatched ahead of a walk at Moseley Bog on Thursday October 1.
Roz Pearce had parked at the Windmere Road entrance ready for a stroll with the 16-month old pooch the family had raised from a puppy.
But as the pet ran off into bushes beside their car, she was ‘bundled’ into a grey Ford Focus which was thought to have sped off from the car park.
Mrs Pearce, her husband Chris, his two daughters and nine-year-old son were left devastated by the theft of their precious dog.
The family reported the theft of ‘Coco’ to West Midlands Police who in turn contacted West Mercia Police.
Following intelligence provided by a member of the public, officers in Pershore identified a vehicle at a location near the town on Tuesday (October 13) and upon closer investigation, identified the missing dog.
Speaking after they were reunited, Mrs Pearce said: “I can’t thank West Mercia Police enough for everything they have done and to the officers whose keen eyes spotted the car and then Coco.
“For them to rescue her and return her to us was something of a storybook ending and the whole family thanks them for this early Christmas present.”
Head of Public Contact, Supt Rik Klair said: “Officers identified the car which had been reported to us earlier in the day as a vehicle connected with the attempted sale of suspected stolen dog.
“The officers who had seen the car then saw a distressed and scared dog matching the description of Coco and safely secured her while enquiries were made locally. An investigation into theft of Coco is ongoing.
“It was nice to be the bearer of such good news to a family who have had very upset children at losing their furry friend.
“Our officers checked Coco’s microchip and then drove him back to the family and reunited them,” he added.
