A DELIGHTED teenager reunited with her stolen dog has praised the community and the Echo for helping find him.

Gabby Cox, 19, was distraught when she returned to her horsebox at a show ground in Surrey to find the hors box missing - with her “best friend” Smarty inside.

A huge search operation was launched after the horsebox was found dumped in Wickford, but there was no sign of the white and tan Jack Russell who Gabby said was “like a sister” to her.

More than 10,000 people joined in the search, putting up posters, looking in local parks and sharing the appeal online, co-ordinated by Tilly’s Angels Facebook group.

Four days later Gabby received the best possible news - Smarty had been found close to Lakeside and many miles away from where he had been stolen.

It is thought she was chucked out of the horsebox by the thieves.

The two were reunited on Wednesday.

Gabby said: “After the hard work of the amazing community of Tilly’s Angels, Pipper’s Army and Bring Dog Home, we have been reunited.

“We have had sniffer dogs and have been giving leaflets out.

“Thank you also to the amazing people at the show helping us with bedding feed and hay for our horses.

“Late Tuesday night a young girl called Faye spotted a small, wet, cold and dirty Smarty laying on the road side, curled up into a ball on the grass.

“She called her over.

“After being so scared and timid, she warmed to the kindness she had missed for three days.

“The amazing Faye took Smarty home, giving her a bath and some food and letting her sleep on the bottom of her bed.

“She then brought my little princess into the vets the next morning.

“Later that day I got the call of a life time to say that my pride and joy was found and she was was well.

“She had a few sore body parts from possibly being thrown or kicked.”

Dog and owner had a tearful reunion and Gabby thanked everyone for their help.

She added: “I can’t thank everyone enough - everyone that shared the posts online to the sniffer dogs and posters.

“The time and money that you have used to getting my angel home to me its amazing. We will forever be in your debt. Smarty is one lucky miracle and an absolute fighter.

“Massive thank you to the Echo and Horse and Hound for getting the story out so fast and for the good coverage.

“It’s been the best day cuddling my girl again after questioning if I would ever see her again.”

Gabby, from Kent, added that this highlighted the important of getting your dogs chipped as this meant she could quickly be reunited with Smarty. She also said that if Smarty hadn’t been “spayed” she may also have been used by the thieves for breeding.