Daisy the Labrador Returns Home After 7-Year Adventure!

Quick Smiles:

• Family reunited with their Labrador, Daisy, after 7 years apart.
• Their advocacy led to a new UK law against pet abduction.
• Celebrity support and a microchip scan played key roles in Daisy’s return.

An English family’s long-lost Labrador, Daisy, has finally found her way back home after being stolen from their front lawn seven years ago. The heartening reunion comes after years of relentless searching and advocacy by the family, which even caught the attention of a British celebrity and led to significant legislative changes.

Back in 2017, Rita and Philip Potter’s beloved Labrador was snatched from their front yard in Norfolk by two men in a truck—a brazen act witnessed by neighbors. Determined not to leave any stone unturned, the Potters contacted the police and launched a campaign to find Daisy.

Their efforts paid off when the RSPCA conducted a search in Somerset, 200 miles away, and discovered a now 13-year-old Daisy. She was likely a victim of an illegal pet breeding operation. A quick scan of her microchip confirmed her identity, and she was soon on her way back to her rightful home.

“We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her, and where she might be,” Mrs. Potter shared.

“It is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and returned her to us—where she belongs—we are so, so grateful,” she added.

The Potters’ campaign to find Daisy included a significant push on social media, with the help of Tom Hardy, the action star from films like *Dark Knight Rises* and *Inception*. Hardy shared their plea on his social media account, amplifying their search.

Their advocacy efforts also led to the collection of 100,000 signatures for a petition that resulted in the Pet Abduction Act. This new law has changed UK sentencing guidelines, making pet abduction a criminal offense with a potential five-year prison sentence, a significant shift from the previous classification under the 1986 Theft Act.

During the RSPCA’s investigation, the current owner of Daisy agreed to surrender her, unaware she had been stolen. RSPCA inspector Kim Walters noted, “They were obviously shocked—but elated at the same time.”

“I was a bit choked from listening to them, and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home soon,” Walters added.

Now in her twilight years, Daisy has some health issues from years of mistreatment, but the Potters are eager to shower her with love and care once again.

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