Nothing could have prepared Faye Moore for the phone call she received nearly 18 months after her Pug was stolen, the news that Tinkerbell was found.
Outrage as reunification is denied!The feeling of elation ebbed away swiftly as she listened intently to the information that she was hearing. Instead of being told where Tinkerbell was and when she could collect her, Faye was asked why Tinkerbell’s microchip details hadn’t been updated in favour of the new owner. Faye learned that Tinkerbell, who was a year old at the time of the theft, was now with a gentleman who had taken her to a pet shop to have her microchipped. He had then had her for a week, he had seen her in an ad on Pets4Homes and had bought her from a woman in Manchester; she had been scanned by the implanter according to the regulations prior to the procedure when it became evident that Tinkerbell already had a microchip.
If you are imaging at this point that common sense would prevail and a description of a happy reunification is to follow I am so sorry to disappoint you. Instead of the expected procedure that would see Tinkerbell and Faye reunited through the carefully thought out process of the microchipping service, Faye has not been able to claim her dog back. No one will help poor Faye.
Identichip have told Faye that they cannot help her as it is now a civil matter. Both West Yorkshire and Somerset police forces will not help either, also stating that it is a civil matter as they are taking no further action.
What on earth is going on here? Stolen property has been acquired and sold by someone in Manchester who it transpires claims to have the Kennel Club Registration papers for the dog in question. She claims to have taken it to her vet for health checks and vaccinations prior to the sale? The law has been broken, a crime has been committed and neither police force will act on behalf of this victim of crime, nor will the microchip company that holds the data regarding the dog’s whereabouts offer any help, advice or support.
Hairdresser Faye Moore her partner and young daughter live in Bradford, West Yorkshire. She cannot afford legal representation and has been abandoned to either accept the status quo or try to fathom out on her own a way to get Tinkerbell back. This is outrageous!
Founder of Vets Get Scanning (VGS), Debbie Matthews approached Dog Theft Action (DTA) after Faye contacted her via Facebook. Very quickly an appeal fund was set up and posted on Facebook to ask for donations to fund legal expenses so that Faye can fight her case.
Debbie Matthews, of VGS said, “Faye being a responsible dog owner had Tinkerbell microchipped in good faith. It is a travesty that she has been let down in every aspect by the very industry that she trusted in – as do many other pet owners all over the UK. Tinkerbell has fallen through every loophole there is and instead of reuniting the pair they are pulled further apart by the now impending law suit Faye has to face to prove ownership of her own dog.
The whole system is a farce and seriously needs over-hauling if not completely updating. Simple changes like making a microchip proof of ownership, the routine scanning of dogs and details of owners checked by vets, all rescues and councils should scan every dog bought to them as strays, the Highway Agencies should be scanning all injured and deceased dogs in road traffic accidents, data and time issues need to be sorted out. Isn’t it sad that we need to point out these changes when basically that is what is expected? The more people who understand how microchipping has been allowed to scrape by for all these years the more chance we have of changing this ‘Pot Luck’ reunification service into a bone fide solution and give us the proper protection for our dogs that we deserve.”
Margaret Nawrockyi secretary of DTA said, “Faye is in a dreadful situation. On one hand she has received that vital phone call telling her that her dog has been found but in cruel twist of fate she has learned that she cannot have her dog back and must ask a judge to decide Tinkerbell’s fate when this poor dog has already been pushed from pillar to post.
We are determined to help Faye to get Tinkerbell back and to continue to demand that permanent identification of a dog also identifies the owner of that dog and the details on the database cannot be changed without the cooperation of the rightful owner until someone actually listens to us. The reunification of Faye and Tinkerbell should have been an automatic procedure. The shambles we have now is proliferating despair and distress for this young family and for many other dog owners in similar situations.”
If you would like to help Faye to be reunited with her beloved Tinkerbell please contact;
Please visit www.facebook.com/tinkerbellfund
Update 15th May 2012.
Urgent donations are needed to help Faye Moore with legal fees, as unfortunately she has had to send a second legal letter and now seek further advice. She is hopeful that microchipped Tinkerbell will soon be returned to her. You can imagine how desperately Faye want’s to be reunited with Tinkerbell who was stolen from her garden on the 24th November 2010. Please go to DogTheftAction.com Registered Charity. Thank you to all who have already donated.
Update 12.30 pm 23rd May 2012.
Good News
Faye Moore’s lawyer has just spoken to Mister X’s Solicitor and they will hand the dog over , subject to the Police confirming they have no objection.
A big thank you to everyone who has been following this story.
We will update you with reunion pictures!!!!
The gentleman who is keeping Tinkerbell, bought her on the 28th February 2012 (in good faith) and has known that Tinkerbell was a stolen dog since the 5th March 2012, today is the 31st May 2012 (87 days Faye has been waiting for her dog).
TINKERBELL AND FAYE ARE TOGETHER AND ON THEIR WAY HOME! 1st June, 2012. 5.30 pm.
Very special thanks to Butcher Burns LLP Solicitors of Beaumont House, 47 Mount Pleasant, London, WC1X 0AE. Who were still negotiating this morning. Faye wouldn’t have got Tinkerbell back without you. THANK YOU.
Pictures to follow soon!
