Reunited after five years — and 500 miles

A PET dog found next to a Fife road more than 500 miles from home has been reunited with its owner —five years after going missing.

Staffordshire bull terrier Ellie was stolen in 2009 when her owner Sharon Collins left her tied up outside a shop in Bere Regis, Dorset.

Last month she was rescued next to the Kirkcaldy to Kinghorn road and taken to Langdyke Boarding Kennels, Kennoway, where the search began to trace her owner.

Kennel owner Sylvia Pass said: “She was in marvellous condition but had had a couple of litters.

“Because she was chipped, I was determined to find out who the owner was.

“We knew the area that Sharon lived in and had animal welfare people out door-knocking to try and find her.”

Sharon had been searching high and low for Ellie with the charity Dog Lost but had been unsuccessful tracking her down.

Sharon said: “I was overjoyed to see her again. When I saw her, she still recognised me even though it had been such a length of time.

“It was really upsetting. Dogs become like members of the family.

“I never lost hope that there might be a chance I would see her again.”

Sylvia added: “Sharon told me that she and Ellie went on a walk that they used to do all those years ago and she still remembered the way.

“It is such a wonderful feeling to have a happy ending to the story.”