AN ECSTATIC dog owner has been reunited with her beloved pet after a 20-day search brought the mystery surrounding his theft to an end.

Tracy Burton, 46, exclaimed her joy at the return of whippet cross Taz who went missing from outside Barclays Bank, High Street, March on Friday January 21.

The Hurst Avenue resident, who is in ill health, said it was a “blessing” to have him back and is “so happy to see him again” after Taz was recovered by a private kennel in south Essex.

She said: “I was so concerned about his health but when he came back it was the happiest day of my life, apart from the birth of my son.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I have and now I’m focussed on getting him fit and healthy.”

Despite being securely tied up on the High Street, Taz was bundled into a red Peugeot 406 while Tracy was inside the bank for only two minutes.

The desperate dog owner visited a local travellers’ site and took her search to the internet, registering with website DogLost, which helps to recover missing dogs nationwide.

The website, which has helped return 15,000 dogs in its seven year history, enhanced the effort to find Taz as thousands of registered helpers were able to notify each other of his disappearance.

After an anonymous tip-off, the hunt for the microchipped whippet extended to a travellers’ site at Hovefields, Wickford, near Basildon, as the RSPCA went to investigate.

Inspector Susan Hammond said: “When we arrived there were several dogs running around and we scanned them, and Taz came up as stolen.

“It is great that Taz was microchipped and that was crucial for us reuniting him with Tracy.

A relieved Tracy said: “I want to say a big thank you to both DogLost and the RSPCA, and I will be donating money to them soon. I also want to thank all those who have supported me.”

Jane Hayes, who founded DogLost after her own pet dog was stolen, said: “It shows that owners can make a real difference and it’s great to get another good result.”