Bella the dog is reunited with owners 130 miles from home

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Bella the was reunited with her family at the vets in Bristol todayImage source, Phil Osborne
Image caption,
Bella today with her owner Sarah (centre), her son Joseph, and dog warden Sarah

A dog which vanished in Northamptonshire four months ago has turned up Bristol and her owners are "over the moon".

Sarah and Phil Osborne's emotional YouTube appeal to find Bella the English springer spaniel has been shared thousands of times.

She was stolen from outside a shop near their home in Rothwell in October.

On Wednesday a woman in Bristol found her roaming the streets.

"I got a phone call from Bristol's dog warden to say she'd be found on an estate, and we drove up early today to pick her up," says Sarah.

"She's very underweight, her hair is matted, and she's got some sores, but she seems happy.

"I feel so emotional to have her back. I find it hard to describe, really. It's been a bit like losing a child," she tells Newsbeat.

Image source, Phil Osborne

It's not clear how Bella ended up in Bristol, but Sarah thinks she might have been abandoned by whoever stole her after the campaign gained national attention.

"People were out searching for her day and night. We made appeals on Twitter and Facebook, and people across the country even donated money to provide a reward.

"Everybody's been fantastic in trying to find her.

"Fortunately she's microchipped so the RSPCA could contact us straight away.

"My advice to anyone who finds themselves in the same situation is to persevere because people will help you."

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