A spaniel stolen from Kent has been reunited with her owners after being discovered more than 160 miles away in Dorset.
Honey, a brown and white spaniel, vanished from her home two months ago, leaving her family devastated and fearing they might never see her again. This week, however, rural crime officers brought the ordeal to a close after finding the dog during a police visit to premises in west Dorset.
Officers attended the address on Monday as part of an operation that resulted in the arrest of a local man in his 30s. He was detained on suspicion of taking or detaining a dog. During the visit, police also seized a number of items and arrested the man on suspicion of firearms offences.
Following checks by officers, the spaniel’s identity was confirmed as Honey, the missing dog reported stolen in Kent. Arrangements were swiftly made to return her to her owners, who were described as “very happy” to have her safely back home.
The suspect was later released on bail while enquiries continue.
Dog theft has been a growing concern for pet owners across the country in recent years, with campaigners calling for tougher penalties and better enforcement. For families, the loss of a pet can be as distressing as losing a member of the family, and many cases remain unresolved for months or even years.
In this instance, the work of specialist rural crime officers proved crucial. Such units often focus on offences affecting countryside communities, including livestock theft, machinery theft and wildlife crime, as well as cases involving stolen pets.
Honey’s journey from Kent to Dorset – a distance of around 160 miles (257km) – highlights how far stolen animals can be moved in a short space of time. Police have not released further details about the circumstances of her disappearance, but investigations remain ongoing.
For Honey’s owners, the focus now is simply on recovery and relief. After weeks of uncertainty, their missing spaniel is back where she belongs – at home.
