2:10pm Friday 19th March 2010
By Richard Gurner
A shepherd was left heartbroken when thieves drove off with her Land Rover – with her sheepdog inside.
Susanna Alce, 33, got out of the Land Rover to close a field gate when she turned around to see the 4x4 vehicle being driven off by thieves.
She said: “My 14-year-old old working collie Ben was in the back and I expect the thieves didn't know this.
“I saw an old burgundy estate car screech to a halt and I didn't think too much of it but while I was running to the gate I heard the Land Rover move away.”
The theft happened on Wednesday at about 1.40pm in Forest Row and Susanna had a sleepless night worrying about her beloved Ben.
But yesterday, after appeals on the radio and Facebook, she was finally reunited with her dog.
An overjoyed Susanna said: “I'm over the moon.
“He was picked up by a lady who took him home for the night. He ran away when she let him out for the toilet and was found again by a dog warden.”
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Any witnesses to the theft, and anyone who has seen the vehicle or trailer since, is asked to contact Sussex Police via 0845 60 70 999.”
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