Twiglet: Kidnapped miniature dachshund reunited with owners after tip-off
The 16-month-old dog is described as being "a little subdued" after her ordeal, which is thought to have come to an end when she became "too hot to handle" after a police appeal for her return went viral, with people desperately concerned about her welfare.
Friday 28 July 2023 14:55, UK
A miniature dachshund snatched from her Essex home by a masked, hammer-wielding intruder has been reunited with her owners after a public outcry led to a tip-off.
Twiglet is described as being "a little subdued" after her ordeal, which saw her in Saffron Walden at about 3pm on Wednesday.
The 16-month-old dog's owners believe she became "too hot to handle" after a police appeal for her return went viral, with people desperately concerned about her welfare.
Essex Police are continuing to investigate and no arrests have so far been made.
In CCTV footage released by the force, a man, wearing a black cap and a black mask, is seen entering the property's kitchen.
A burglar alarm sounds and Twiglet starts panicking and barking.
Initially, she manages to escape his clutches but he eventually grabs her and they struggle for a few seconds before the man clamps her jaw shut to stop her barking, before making off with her.
But in a welcome update on Facebook, her owners said she had been found on Thursday night.
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Jamie Vindis posted: "Everyone… we have the most amazing news… Twig is home!!!
"She's a little subdued by the whole experience but a tip off this evening (via FB) from someone that had seen all of the publicity and awareness, has meant we were able to be reunited about 11pm.
"We can't thank everyone enough for all of the posts and reposts and noise that has meant that she most likely did become 'too hot to handle'.
"We are blown away by how amazing people have been and want to thank you all so so much."
According to MailOnline, Mr Vindis was contacted on Facebook by an apparent Good Samaritan who had seen the appeal and then been offered the pet for sale.
They pretended not to realise it was Twiglet and paid £700 before informing the family.
It is understood police then went to Bedfordshire to collect the pet.
His wife, Jo, told the publication she did not think the dog had been specifically targeted.
But she said: "But I don't think it could have been entirely opportunistic. He must have been looking at the properties and saw no-one was in.
"It is a quiet, rural and there is not a lot of through traffic.
"The idea that it could have been a dognapping did go through my mind, but we didn't get a ransom note or anything like that so I don't think so.
"Somebody got in touch with my husband on Facebook after we did the appeal saying they had bought the dog.
"That person had seen the appeal and pretended they hadn't realised who the dog was.
"They got in touch with Jamie and the police went to get the dog which was in Bedfordshire by then.
"Twiglet is back home running around the garden, she seems to be back to her normal self."
Essex Police said in a statement: "Thanks to you the public, Twiglet has been reunited with her happy owner.
"Twiglet's owner is grateful to the public for all their support and sharing the appeal which was seen by a member of the public who was able to reunite Twiglet with its owner.
"They are truly grateful and happy that their dog is safely back with them, unharmed.
"We're continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information that might be able to help our investigation into the burglary.
"Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage."