A dog owner who feared he would never see his beloved pet again after it was stolen from a car park has been reunited with his animal thanks to the Croydon Guardian.

Patrick Bresnihan was given back his precious pooch Molly after an anonymous reader revealed where the dog had been taken after spotting our appeal.

The five-year-old brown and white Shih Tzu, who has a weak heart, was snatched from her owner's locked van while in the Ikea car park on November 28.

But just hours after the Croydon Guardian published Patrick's appeal on December 13, he was reunited with his pet at an undisclosed address in Croydon.

Patrick told the Guardian: "It was a matter of hours after our story was published in the Croydon Guardian that someone called us.

"They knew where our dog was and told us where to find Molly. The person who called us had seen in the story how much Molly meant to us and was concerned about the dog's health.

"Sure enough, within an hour, we were at an address in Croydon and Molly was handed over to us.

"We're not interested in prosecuting the person who took Molly, we're just so pleased to have her home. As far as I'm concerned the matter is over now."

Patrick, who lives in Beckenham with his wife and baby added: "This was the best Christmas present we could have hoped for.

"It's great having Molly back with her family her face lit up as soon as she was put into my arms. We were so worried about her because she needs medication, I'm just thankful that she's healthy.

"We are absolutely indebted to the Croydon Guardian for helping us find our Molly."

December 28, 2001 09:30