A FAMILY pet who went missing when thieves stole a van with him inside has been found safe and well.

Bodger, a border collie, was found after an off-duty policeman spotted an appeal for information on Bodger’s whereabouts on The Northern Echo website.

The dog, which belongs to Luke Hopkinson, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, was taken from Hurworth, near Darlington, on Friday afternoon.

Mr Hopkinson and his brother were rendering a house nearby and Bodger was sitting in the front seat of his white Ford Transit van, registration WN51 XLC.

However, the van went missing at about 2pm.

Mr Hopkinson said he and his family, including his partner’s two children, aged ten and 14, were left distraught by Bodger’s loss. The family searched the countryside in vain.

However, on Saturday afternoon, they were called by the off-duty police officer who works out of Peterlee.

He had spotted a dog matching Bodger’s description wandering around the Wingate area, near Peterlee.

The family began searching that area and finally, on Sunday morning, they were called by Deerness Kennels, at Langley Moor. Bodger had been handed in there and was identified by his microchip.

Mr Hopkinson said yesterday: “We’re all just overwhelmed and happy as anything.

“I wasn’t so bothered about the van – that can be sorted out by the insurance, although because I haven’t got it back, it does mean I can’t do my work.”

Mr Hopkinson said Bodger had not been left any the worse for wear after his ordeal.

He added: “He was absolutely knackered, but it’s nothing that a couple of days rest and food won’t sort out.

“The people who took the van don’t seem to have harmed him in any way.

“ButI don’t know why they didn’t just drop him off round the corner instead of driving all the way through there.

“He was so pleased to see us when we arrrived at the kennels – he was really over the moon.”

Anyone with any information about the theft can call police on 0345-60-60-365.