'Stolen' cocker spaniel puppy 'Mika' is REUNITED with his family days after CCTV appeared to show him being bundled into a pickup truck at a pub

  • Heartbroken Culverwell family had their puppy Mika snatched by thieves
  • They were walking Mika before a pub lunch when the puppy bolted from view
  • Pub CCTV showed theif apparently grabbing Mika after opening doors of a truck
  • They have now been reunited with their pet after she was found at the same pub

A family are celebrating after they were reunited with their beloved cocker spaniel who was thought to have been snatched by thieves as they took her for a walk.

Caroline Culverwell, 46, from Redhill in Surrey, was walking 14-week-old Mika before a pub lunch at the Dog and Duck pub in Outwood when the puppy bolted out of site as they reached the car park.

Pub CCTV appeared to show Mika being taken by a thief in a white pick-up truck on Sunday.

The devastated family launched a Facebook appeal and celebrated by popping up the champagne when Mika was returned yesterday evening.

Mrs Culverwell, a mother-of-three, said: 'I must admit I almost gave up hope, it was friends and family keeping me going. I thought she could be gone forever.'

Caroline Culverwell, 46, was reunited with her 14-week-old Mika yesterday evening after she had gone missing on Sunday lunchtime 

Caroline Culverwell, 46, was reunited with her 14-week-old Mika yesterday evening after she had gone missing on Sunday lunchtime 

A delighted family have been reunited with their cocker spaniel who went missing on Sunday

A delighted family have been reunited with their cocker spaniel who went missing on Sunday

Mrs Culverwell said she was telephoned last night by a man who had picked up a puppy on the road outside the Dog and Duck pub and put it in his van. 

Her husband, Marcus, then raced to the pub and confirmed to the family's delight that it was Mika.

She was then brought home and showered with 'doggie treats' as the ecstatic family cracked open the champagne.

Mrs Culverwell said: 'She definitely knew she was home and was very happy to see us, but a little more wary with visitors than she had been before . 

Mika was found outside the Dog and Duck pub
Etalie, 11, with Mika yesterday

Mika was found outside the Dog and Duck pub and put in the back of a van (left) and Mr Culverwell went to pick her up to the delight of the couple's 11-year-old daughter Etalie (right)

Mrs Culverwell wrote on Facebook how she had been phoned by someone who'd picked up a cocker spaniel at the Dog and Duck pub 

Mrs Culverwell wrote on Facebook how she had been phoned by someone who'd picked up a cocker spaniel at the Dog and Duck pub 

The 46-year-old wrote how Mika was 'limping slightly' and 'filthy dirty' but said the family was overjoyed and 'eternally grateful' for the help and support 

The 46-year-old wrote how Mika was 'limping slightly' and 'filthy dirty' but said the family was overjoyed and 'eternally grateful' for the help and support 

'I'd like to think she had been well looked after but she looks a little thin and was starving hungry and looked pretty dehydrated. 

'She was exhausted, filthy dirty, smelly and absolutely riddled with lice. She is limping slightly and has a few sores on her ears. 

'Still all those things can be sorted and she has a scheduled vet appointment for her 3rd set of injections today - so it was very kind of her to come home in time for that, and Timea's GCSE results! 

'She is currently back in her crate with a few extra treats, her favourite toys and a hot water bottle.'

Mum-of-three Caroline Culverwell (pictured with her 11-year-old daughter Etalie) was walking 14-week-old Mika before a pub lunch when the puppy bolted out of sight as they reached the car park
Mika, a brown cocker spaniel, was 'snatched by thieves' when she had been taken for a walk

Mika, a brown cocker spaniel, was 'snatched by thieves' when she had been taken for a walk

She added: 'This is my first dog, and I never really understood people's love for them. But I have become very attached. I get it now. We are just so relieved to have her back. 

'Thanks to the efforts of newspapers and the Get Mika Home Facebook group I think Mika became too hot to handle, and whoever took her has changed their mind. 

'I just want to thank everyone who worked so hard to bring her home. We are so, so grateful.' 

Confirming Mika had been found, the Dog and Duck said: 'The same truck seemed to drop it back.'  

The Culverwell family were left heartbroken on Sunday when their pet puppy vanished while they were taking it for a walk - with CCTV footage appearing to show she had been stolen. 

The family believe Mika, who has not been spayed, was taken by dog breeders because she is a pure-bred cocker spaniel. 

Mrs Culverwell was walking the cocker spaniel in fields near The Dog and Duck between 12.30pm and 1.30pm on Sunday before having lunch with her parents at the pub. 

She said they called for Mika to come back - but quickly realised the puppy was nowhere to be found.

Around a dozen pub-goers and staff then tried in vain to find Mika, searching until the evening. 

Mrs Culverwell said: 'By the end of the day we were shown the CCTV cameras by the staff at the pub and it appears it was an opportunistic crime.

'A white pick-up turned into the car park, went around the back of our car, then two doors open, two people get out, pick something up and get back into the cab, reverse and drive straight out.'  

11-year-old Etalie (pictured) had been left devastated by the alleged theft of the puppy 

11-year-old Etalie (pictured) had been left devastated by the alleged theft of the puppy 

Surrey Police, who are continuing to investigate the incident, are also celebrating her safe return.

A spokesman said: 'We are absolutely over the moon to report that the stolen Cocker Spaniel Mika has been found this evening and reunited with her owner.

'Best news we have had all week. Thank you to all our Facebook followers for sharing the post. Over 170,000 people saw it.

'We are still investigating this theft. From CCTV It is believed Mika was picked up by a white 4x4, possibly a Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux. The vehicle has two windows either side by the door (indicating a crew cab) and it has three white bars over the rear window.

'If you were in the Dog and Duck, Outwood on 20/8/17 at around 13:15 or when Mika was found on 23/8/17 at around 20:00 and have a dash cam please let us know.

'When Mika was stolen the vehicle entered the car park from the direction of Smallfield and left towards Nutfield. If you are aware of any CCTV along that route that covers the road again please let us know.' 

Etalie, 11, had been left heartbroken by the apparent theft of the family's puppy  

Etalie, 11, had been left heartbroken by the apparent theft of the family's puppy