Stolen Rikki was one of eight dogs stolen from a kennel

Now, dog owners in Basingstoke are being warned to “be alert” as the criminals responsible for the theft could be living in the town.

Rikki, a seven-year-old dachshund, was stolen from kennels in Derbyshire in February, as one of eight dogs taken during the night when thieves broke in.

His owner Shelley has been searching for him since and was delighted to be reunited with him in Basingstoke yesterday after he was spotted running in a field by a member of the public.

Two of the other stolen dogs have already been found, with one in Cambridgeshire and the other in Huntingdon, while five remain missing.

Lisa Dean, from animal charity Beauty’s Legacy, which supports owners of stolen pets, has been helping the families since the dogs went missing.

She believes they were stolen for breeding and taken to different locations around the country to prevent the owners from finding them.

However, poor Rikki was in a terrible condition when he was found, riddled with fleas and with frostbite on his ear.

“He’s probably been tied up outside,” said Lisa, adding: “The saddest thing is that he had a beautiful ginger coat and he’s now grey, he’s lost his colour from the stress.

“I would say they are being taken for breeding. The price of dogs has rocketed because of lockdown which has elevated the price of dogs.”

Lisa, who set up the charity after her cat was stolen, warned people in Basingstoke to “be alert” following the discovery of Rikki.

She added: “We don’t want to scare people but we do want to raise awareness. The one bit of advice I would give is to have your dog neutered and not to leave it unattended. Over 60 per cent of dog thefts are actually from gardens. But until it happens people don’t think it will happen to them.”

Rikki was cared for by a dog warden from Basingstoke while Shelley travelled from Norfolk to the town to collect her pet.

Lisa said: “He had a brain injury and had seizures so we have been worried sick about him. He’s now barely recognisable having lost weight, he has a sore sticky eye, awful rub burns to his nose and is filthy and covered in fleas. He’s utterly exhausted but he’s home now and safe.”

She said police are now investigating the theft, adding: “The police have been fantastic across the country and the support from the public has been incredible.”

The borough council's dog warden Laura said “This happy ending reminds us of the importance of keeping the information on your dog’s chip up to date. It was a privilege to be able to reunite Rikki with Shelley and the bond between them was so clear to see.

"Please make sue that your dog’s tag and chip details are up to date – you never know when you might need them.”

Derbyshire police said: "Enquiries are ongoing following the location of the third dog and officers will be liaising with colleagues in Hampshire to establish any further lines of enquiry.

"There have been no arrests in relation to the theft of the dogs. 

"Anyone with information about the whereabouts of any of the other dogs, or those responsible for their theft, is asked to contact Derbyshire police with reference 21*084142."