A keen runner was overjoyed when he and his dog were reunited after he spent the weekend scouring the city for the lost pup.
Ian Tomlinson, 62, was devastated after his parsons Russell Alfie was untied and taken from outside Tesco in Church Road, Hove, on Friday night.
But yesterday afternoon the pedigree chums were reunited after the heartbroken dog lover had spent the weekend looking for the two-year-old pooch.
Alfie’s photo was shared more than 20,000 times on Facebook, and a man rang Mr Tomlinson saying he’d only taken the pup because it looked skinny and thought it was abandoned.
Yesterday afternoon the two-year-old terrier was found in Preston Park after Mr Tomlinson accompanied police to identify him as he was being walked by another man.
The man was on the phone to the police when Mr Tomlinson arrived. Mr Tomlinson said: “If enough people know then you can be reunited in no time.
“Brighton dogwatch and Doglost UK have been amazing and the response has been unbelievable. I am so grateful.”
Upon realising his best friend had been taken on Friday, Mr Tomlinson said: “My stomach just went, I felt physically sick and the shock was phenomenal.
“He’s my soul mate, my companion and we’re inseparable.
“He comes running with me, we do everything together. Everybody knows him and everyone recognises him from when I run along the seafront with him.”
CCTV captured the moment a man wearing green and brown clothes and a baseball cap untied Alfie and after a short struggle, made off through the car park towards Blatchington Road.
Mr Tomlinson said he missed the moment Alfie was stolen by about 30 seconds, and added: “Other people tie their dogs outside and people are always passing by, so it's good for him to socialise.
“I tie him up really tightly and he's got his harness on, so there's no way he can wriggle out of there.
“I went inside to do my shopping, but I always make sure I keep an eye on him, he was just sat there looking around.
“I noticed a man standing around him, he looked quite scruffy, but I thought nothing of it.
“I could still hear Alfie whining a little, because that's what he does - he's a real one man dog and if I'm not around he can get a little anxious.
“The man was smoking, so I thought he was just stood there waiting for a mate or something.”
After a weekend of torture, Mr Tomlinson was delighted to be back with man’s best friend.
Ian Tomlinson, 62, was devastated after his parsons Russell Alfie was untied and taken from outside Tesco in Church Road, Hove, on Friday night.
But yesterday afternoon the pedigree chums were reunited after the heartbroken dog lover had spent the weekend looking for the two-year-old pooch.
Alfie’s photo was shared more than 20,000 times on Facebook, and a man rang Mr Tomlinson saying he’d only taken the pup because it looked skinny and thought it was abandoned.
Yesterday afternoon the two-year-old terrier was found in Preston Park after Mr Tomlinson accompanied police to identify him as he was being walked by another man.
The man was on the phone to the police when Mr Tomlinson arrived. Mr Tomlinson said: “If enough people know then you can be reunited in no time.
“Brighton dogwatch and Doglost UK have been amazing and the response has been unbelievable. I am so grateful.”
Upon realising his best friend had been taken on Friday, Mr Tomlinson said: “My stomach just went, I felt physically sick and the shock was phenomenal.
“He’s my soul mate, my companion and we’re inseparable.
“He comes running with me, we do everything together. Everybody knows him and everyone recognises him from when I run along the seafront with him.”
CCTV captured the moment a man wearing green and brown clothes and a baseball cap untied Alfie and after a short struggle, made off through the car park towards Blatchington Road.
Mr Tomlinson said he missed the moment Alfie was stolen by about 30 seconds, and added: “Other people tie their dogs outside and people are always passing by, so it's good for him to socialise.
“I tie him up really tightly and he's got his harness on, so there's no way he can wriggle out of there.
“I went inside to do my shopping, but I always make sure I keep an eye on him, he was just sat there looking around.
“I noticed a man standing around him, he looked quite scruffy, but I thought nothing of it.
“I could still hear Alfie whining a little, because that's what he does - he's a real one man dog and if I'm not around he can get a little anxious.
“The man was smoking, so I thought he was just stood there waiting for a mate or something.”
After a weekend of torture, Mr Tomlinson was delighted to be back with man’s best friend.
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