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Joy as mastiff Ruby is found

Stuart Pike
2/ 5/2008

A YOUNG family’s tears turned to smiles when they were reunited with their prized pet dog, which had disappeared from their back garden.

Two-year-old bull mastiff bitch Ruby, who was chained to her kennel, disappeared overnight on Monday, leaving owners Oathie Sykes and Emily Whittaker distraught.

They had bought her from local kennels as a family pet before their one-year-old son Noah was born.

The sandy-coloured mastiff, which has a distinctive dark-coloured face, is a highly sought-after breed and can weigh over 130lb.

After reporting the matter to police, worried Emily, 19, of Spring Street, Accr-ington, said: "My partner was out from 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning knocking on every door.

"We never heard any barking or anything. She’s a quiet dog. Noah plays with her and she’s not at all vicious."

She added: "We’re very upset and shocked. You cannot leave anything out these days."

The couple were set to offer a sizeable reward for Ruby’s return but distress became delight when police informed them that a dog matching her description had been found, and she was reunited with her owners on Wednesday morning.

Oathie, who got blisters on his feet after hunting high and low, said: "I’m very happy she’s back. She’s in good condition.

It’s hard to say if she was stolen but she was seen all over in Rishton and I’ve never known her to wander.

"The lady who phoned the police said two lads gave her to her.

"She had been a police dog trainer in the past and got in contact with the police. We rang her, described the dog to her and she said ‘yes’."