Stolen dog scampers home after escaping from Ribble Valley van thieves (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Stolen dog scampers home after escaping from Ribble Valley van thieves

12:37pm Monday 1st October 2012 in News

A THREE-year-old Jack Russell terrier scampered home after wrestling his way free from van thieves in East Lancashire.

Chopper was whisked away when thieves stole a Ford Transit panel van belonging to agricultural contractors David and Debbie Wallbank at the Texaco garage, in Whalley Road, Simonstone, at around 7.40am on Friday. David had been inside paying for petrol and had seen three youths lurking nearby beforehand. Frantic searches were launched across East Lancashire for both Chopper and the missing vehicle, which had D&D Wallwork, their Altham-based firm’s name, emblazoned on the side.

Debbie said: “I’d been out looking for him until around 1pm when I came back home and he came trotting down the lane. It was as if he thought – ‘why did you leave me behind?’ – and he was fine.

“He’s not going anywhere now.”

Last night, Lancashire Police told the Wallbanks that they had discovered the missing van, which contained a substantial amount of tools and steel, in the Rosegrove area of Burnley.

Mrs Wallbank believes Chopper will have taken the first opportunity to escape from the thieves.

Anyone who can help with information about how the van was stolen can contact PC Michelle Boggis on 101.

Comments are closed on this article.