Stolen dog flagged down RSPCA van 100 miles from home

A stolen dog flagged down an RSPCA van on a deserted road more than 100 miles from his home. Alfie the Yorkshire terrier, taken in a raid on his owner’s home in Wednesbury in the Black Country, last month, forced charity inspector Stephanie Law to stop by barking in front of her vehicle in deepest Buckinghamshire. And then Alfie jumped in when she braked and opened her door to investigate. A scan of his microchip identified the seven-year-old dog as missing and he was reunited with his owner Kirsty Mitton.

But Alfie’s pal Lillie, a five year-old unneutered female taken in the same burglary, is still missing. Stephanie said she was amazed when the dog emerged from woodland in Gerrards Cross. “I have had plenty of people wave me down for help but I have never been flagged down by a dog in need of rescue before,” she said. “I saw Alfie run towards me, clearly trying to attract my attention. He ran right in front of the van, barking.
“As soon as I stopped and opened the door he bounded in, jumped onto the seat and looked at me. It was as if he recognized my uniform and knew I was there to rescue him. We can only assume he had been dumped in the woods and came running out when he heard me drive along. He’s a lovely, friendly dog, despite his ordeal, and I am so pleased he got the happy ending he deserved. Very sadly, Lillie is still missing.” The dogs were taken in the burglary on March 21.
Kirsty, 23, said: “We are over the moon to have Alfie back. We didn’t think we would see him again, but so sad that Lillie is still missing. I jumped straight in the car to drive the 112 miles to be with him as soon as I heard he was safe. Thank goodness we had Alfie microchipped, as there’s no way we would have been traced without that. Sadly Lillie had not been chipped so we would really appreciate it if anyone who recognizes her lets the RSPCA know. We’ve learned the hard way how important it is to have your pets chipped.” Anyone with any information about Lillie should call the RSPCA.