A dog owner has spoken of her delight after bobbies on the beat turned pet detectives to reunite her with her chocolate labrador stolen two years ago.

Clare Cannon and her family had an emotional reunion with four-year-old Frank after they were traced through his microchip.

“It is unbelieveable,” said Mrs Cannon, of Hastings Road, Rolvenden. “There have been plenty of tears.

“We had convinced ourselves Frank was dead because that was the easiest way to cope.

“Now he won’t leave my side and insists on sitting on me or the children in the evening.”

Ace Ventura cops PCs Matt Bate, Elaine Carroll and Helen Kempall found Frank – named after 1970s television detective Frank Cannon – during a raid on a property in Ashford.

Although Frank was micochipped, MrsCannon had recently moved from the home in Chennell Park Road, Tenterden, from where he was stolen in 2011.

“The police went to great lengths to find us,” said Mrs Cannon, 49.

“The old house was for sale, but there is no board up. Through the internet they tracked down the estate agents who put them in touch with my parents and my mother called me to say Frank had been found.

“I did not believe her. He was chipped so I knew it must be him but there was still a bit of doubt until I saw him.”

Frank was in good condition although his nails were long from lack of exercise and he had lost a lot of muscle.

As well as being reunited with Mrs Cannon and her children Christopher, 19, Sophie, 18, and Hugo, 15, Frank is also getting to know their other dog, Battley, a west highland terrier cross toy poodle, again.

“Their reunion was amazing,” said Mrs Cannon.

“Frank remembers everyone. When Christopher came home, he just leapt into his arms.

“Although he is in a new house, he is not bothered at all. He is just happy to be back with the family.”

Mrs Cannon said seeing Frank again for the first time had seemed like Christmas.

“It was incredible. You don’t expect a dog that’s been missing for two years to turn up 10 miles down the road" - Clare Cannon

“It was incredible. You don’t expect a dog that’s been missing for two years to turn up 10 miles down the road.

“If we can get our dog back after two years, anything can happen.”

Frank was stolen from the Cannon’s family home in Chennell Park Road, Tenterden, in July, 2011.

He was in the garden with their other dog, Battley, when he disappeared.