A JACK Russell puppy stolen by "dognappers" from property at Coxheath, near Maidstone, has been found.

Jack, aged nine months, was collected by its owners Peter Wildish and Glenis Morgan-Lewis, on Friday after they received a telephone call from a woman in the Sittingbourne area.

The dog went missing from on Saturday, October 4. Members of the family, including Mrs Morgan-Lewis’ 11-year-old son, Michael, feared they would never see him again.

The following Sunday and Monday, the family received phone calls from a man demanding as much as £900 in exchange for Jack’s safe return. After calling police and the RSPCA, the family heard nothing more.

But following the publication of Jack’s story in last Friday’s Kent Messenger newpaper, the family were contacted by a woman who said she had found him. They arranged to meet on Friday evening in Teynham, near Sittingbourne.

Mrs Morgan-Lewis said: “When we spoke to the lady she said she found him in Lenham Square on Wednesday. She said she saw him in the paper on Friday and called Stockett Lane Post Office for our number.

“She said she was going to keep him because he was a lovely little pup. If it wasn’t for the KM we would never have got our dog back.”

Although they don't know how he ended up in Lenham, the family believes Jack was stolen. They are concerned about the number of similar incidences in the Coxheath area.

As a result they have launched the JACK campaign, Justice Against Canine Kidnap, to try and help others in a similar position. Anyone whose dog has disappeared can email them for help and support at jackscampaign@aol.com

Mrs Morgan-Lewis can also be contacted on 01622 671555.