A dog owner has spoken of her 'absolute delight' after her missing pooch was found - more than 200 miles away in Wigan. Jessie, a six-year-old Shih Poo, was spotted by a passenger on board a train who recognised her from her distinctive colouring and a huge social media appeal, her owner Kat Conway revealed.
Kat, 50, alleged Jessie was stolen from her after she was rushed to hospital. Kat, from Paisley, Scotland, revealed she collapsed outside St Pancras railway station in London on Monday, June 6, with a suspected heart attack and entrusted her dog to a stranger, a man, who initially came to her aid.
Paramedics who took her to hospital wouldn't allow Jessie in the ambulance, she said, and she claims the man subsequently took the pooch. After leaving hospital, Kat said she found both the man and her dog to be missing, reports MyLondon.
She described wandering the streets of London after being discharged trying to find Jessie, but her searches were in vain and she was forced to return home in Scotland. But in what Kat described as a 'miracle', Jessie was then spotted on board the train 203 miles from where she was last seen.
The pair have now been reunited. Apricot-coloured Jessie, revealed Kat, was spotted on a train near Wigan after a passenger recognised her from an online Facebook campaign.
Police intercepted the train and Kat was then contacted by DogLost, a charity that reunites lost dogs with their owners. Kat said she 'couldn't stop smiling' after hearing the news and revealed she was overjoyed after a frantic few days desperately trying to find her companion.
She said: "I got a phone call on Friday to tell me that they had found her but it was too late to go and get her so I had to go on Saturday morning and get a train to Wigan."
When she arrived at a vet's looking after Jessie, she found her fine and well. "It is absolutely unbelievable," Kat added. "Everyone has been brilliant. I'm absolutely delighted. I can't believe how many beautiful people there are out there that helped me. Together they made a miracle happen."
A British Transport Police spokesperson confirmed a theft investigation remained underway and said a man on the train was spoken to by officers. "Enquiries are ongoing," added the force.
Vicki Hudson, who set up the Facebook appeal, said: "The most important thing is that she is safe and they can be together once more. Thank you to everyone who has worked behind the scenes, and for every share that has lead to her being recognised and returned. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police are investigating an allegation of theft after a dog was reportedly stolen in Euston Road, NW1, on the afternoon of Monday, 6 June. Officers have taken a statement from the informant and enquiries are ongoing."
Shih Poos are a cross between a Shih Tzu and a toy or miniature poodle.
