£1,000 reward paid out as businessman Peter Grice gets back his family’s two stolen Shitzus, John and Yoko

Peter Grice and family celebrating return of pups (Image: Archant)

It follows an extraordinary day for Mr Grice whose family was devastated by the theft of the two Shitzus last week.

He was contacted today by the Eastrea woman who told him that her boyfriend had paid £400 for the dogs from a man in a van!

The boyfriend apparently was filling up at the Shell garage in Whittlesey when he was approached by a man in a white van offering to sell him the pups for £400.

The man bought them – took them home- and was looking forward to bringing them up.

But earlier today his girl friend spotted the appeal made by Mr Grice and realised the pups had been stolen.

Mr Grice said: “I realise people may think the man has benefited by this but hopefully he will think again before buying pups from the back of a van. The chap who said he owned them showed him both dogs – they were in a cage in the back of the vehicle.”

Mr Grice has been speaking with police about the incident – another woman has come forward to say she, too, was offered them but declined.

“When she saw it on Facebook she phoned to tell me,” said Mr Grice.

Mr Grice said the puppies, just eight months told, were stolen from his Coates home last week.

“They are part of our family, and we missed them incredibly,” he said.

He launched a massive social media campaign and appealed to “friends up north, down south and even abroad to help”.

He pleaded earlier: “You never know who you might know who might have one or two new Shitzus arrived on their street...

“Their names are John and Yoko and we are desperate to have them home and still together, causing mischief and smiles.”

CCTV images from the petrol station may help police with their inquiries.