Family reunited with stolen dog found in Accrington after three years

Tina, a playful French bulldog, went missing in May 2021 during a family shopping trip in London

A family have been reunited with their beloved French bulldog, Tina, who was found in Accrington after being stolen almost three years ago.

Tina, a playful French bulldog, went missing in May 2021 during a family shopping trip in Chingford, London.

The Kowalczyk family's pet vanished from the back of their van.

They tirelessly searched for her and put up missing posters but to no avail, however last week the microchipped dog was found and traced back to them.

The family had immediately reported the theft to the police and kept their contact information on the microchipping details updated.

Despite their efforts, hope of ever seeing Tina again began to dwindle.

However last week more than 200 miles away in Accrington, a concerned resident spotted Tina wandering in the garden of an abandoned property.

'Incredibly grateful'

Hyndburn Council's dog warden, Jane Grady, said: "Reuniting lost or stolen pets with their families is the most rewarding part of my job.

"It's rare to see a dog found so far away after such a long time, but this story emphasises the crucial role microchipping plays in bringing pets back home safely."

Upon receiving the news, Joanna and George Kowalczyk, Tina's owners, embarked on a journey from London to Hyndburn to be reunited with their pet.

The joy of their reunion was palpable and they expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in bringing Tina back home.

Mrs Kowalczyk said: "We are overwhelmed with happiness to have Tina back in our lives.

"We never gave up hope, but after so much time, we feared the worst.

"We are incredibly grateful to the kind person who found Tina, the dog warden for her swift action, and everyone who helped us during our search for Tina.

"I would urge all dog owners to ensure their dogs are microchipped."