image source, Davina Wiles
Davina and James Wiles say Vixen is „very lucky” to be safe at home
A couple who were reunited with their dog after their pet van was stolen say their family is complete again.
The five-year-old cocker spaniel, Vixen, was in a van owned by Davina and James Wiles along with four other dogs when it was picked up in Leeds on January 23.
The other dogs were later found, but Vixen was missing for two weeks.
She was eventually rescued by a member of the public who was approached by two men who tried to sell her, Ms Wiles said.
image source, Davina Wiles
The couple say they've had Vixen since she was a puppy
Dog trainers Mr and Mrs Wiles, who live in the Thorpe area of Leeds, received a phone call on Tuesday from someone who knew they were looking for Vixen and had been approached by someone saying they had a dog for sale.
Mrs Wiles said: “He arranged to meet to see the dog and when he saw the vixen he told them it was her.
„At that point, the pair ran and the man grabbed Vixen's lead and grabbed her.”
'Toast and Cuddles'
When Ms Wiles got the call to say Vixen had been found, the drive to pick her up was „the longest eight minutes of our lives”.
„When we got there, James was the first to see her because he could outrun me. She ran to him and jumped into his arms,” he added.
„We're absolutely over the moon. We're starting to think we'll never see her again, so to have her back, our family is complete again.”
Ms Wiles said Vixen was „a bit skinny” but was healthy and happy at home with the couple's other dogs, Pi, Case, Finn and Chief.
He added: „She had some toast and cuddles last night and is getting all the attention, that's for sure.”
image source, Davina Wiles
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the missing van to contact them
Mrs Wiles thanked members of the local community for helping to find Vixen, describing the support they had shown as „absolutely fantastic”.
„Many people have helped with searches, messages of support and spreading the word about Vixen,” she said.
„We got a message from a mum who couldn't wait to wake up her three-year-old in the morning and tell her that Vixen had been found. She kept asking about her.
„We feel very fortunate to have her back.”
West Yorkshire Police said the couple's white Ford Transit van with an „08” plate was believed to have been driven towards Wakefield and is still missing.
Officials asked anyone with information to contact them.
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