Stolen Wednesbury dog rescued more than 100 miles from home

Yorkshire terrier Alfie was stolen from his heartbroken owner's home in Dingley Road in Wednesbury, along with another terrier Lillie, by burglars on March 21.

Owner Kirsty Mitton, aged 23, feared she would not see either of the dogs again - however, weeks later, seven-year-old Alfie ran out of woods barking at a RSPCA inspector's car in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

Inspector Stephanie Law stopped her car and opened her door before Alfie immediately jumped inside. A scan of his microchip revealed he had been stolen from Miss Mitton, who had been his owner for eight years.

It was then arranged for him to be returned to his relieved owner.

Inspector Law said: "I have had plenty of people wave me down for help but I have never actually been flagged down by a dog in need of rescue before.

"I was just driving down the deserted road when I saw Alfie run towards me, clearly trying to attract my attention.

"He ran right in front of the van, barking and as soon as I stopped and opened the door he just bounded in and jumped onto the seat - and looked at me.

"It was as if he recognised 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.

Miss Mitton said she was shocked when she received a call from the RSPCA saying Alfie had been found, adding that she instantly recognised his bark down the phone.

She had put an appeal out on Facebook for the return of her two pets in the aftermath of the burglary when her back door was forced while she was out.

Miss Mitton said: "I think he was just really lucky that when he ran out in front of the van, it was an RSPCA van and not a normal van. He was a lucky boy.

"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 just jumped straight in the car to drive the 112 miles as soon as I heard he was safe."

She said she only had Alfie microchipped when he had to visit the vets for an operation in a bid to prevent him developing cancer and she was able to get the device for free.

She said: "Thank goodness we had Alfie microchipped, as there's no way he would have been traced without that and sadly Lillie has not been chipped so we would really appreciate anyone who might recognise her to let the RSPCA know.

"We've learned the hard way how important it is to have your pets chipped."

Miss Mitton is due to learn whether Lillie has been found over the next few days following a sighting in the London area. Yesterday she travelled to the capital to investigate the tip-off.

Anyone with information about Lillie should call the RSPCA on 0300 1238018.