There were happy tears in the home of a March family when their much loved dog Mitch was found 25 miles away after going missing almost five months ago.

Cambs Times: Mitch is reunited with Maddy Vallance. Picture by Kath SansomMitch is reunited with Maddy Vallance. Picture by Kath Sansom (Image: Archant)

The story is a tale of success for micro chipping after the Patterdale terrier was taken to a vets in Peterborough and a quick scan brought up the contact details of the Vallance family.

Dad Mark Vallance said: “My phone went at about 8pm from an unknown number and a voice asked if I was Mitch’s owner. The person then said we’ve got her here.

“I couldn’t believe it, I just screamed, the wife was screaming and crying, it’s unbelievable.

“We never gave up hope but it has been terrible worrying about what could have happened to her.”

Cambs Times: Mitch is reunited with Maddy Vallance. Picture by Kath SansomMitch is reunited with Maddy Vallance. Picture by Kath Sansom (Image: Archant)

Mum Mel said: “Within two minutes of getting the call we were in the car on our way to Peterborough and were telling the amazing news to our other daughter Melissa who’s at University in Lincoln. I feel an emotional wreck, the tears just keep coming. As we walked in the vets Mitch went crazy. What a moment.

“I feel sad that the Peterborough family have now lost a dog, they have clearly looked after her well, but I hope they can be comforted knowing she is back with her family and is very much loved.”

Neale Wade student 15 year old Maddy added: “It feels like a terrible dream, I’ll wake up and she wont really be here. I’ve missed her so much.

“When we bought Mitch home I tested out a trick I’d taught her where she stands on her back legs and turns around for a treat. She remembered it. It’s unbelievable.”

It turns out Mitch was picked up by a rescuer who stopped his van as she ran amok on March bypass on December 16 and, having lost her collar when she broke free from the family garden in Burrowmoor Road, assumed she was a stray.

It was just days before Christmas and his children begged him to let them keep her so it is where she has lived ever since under the new name Daisy.

At the weekend she broke free from their garden and after being discovered in a field was taken to a veterinary surgeon in Peterborough where they scanned her microchip.

The family say they never gave up hope of being reunited.

Mr Vallance said: “It shows the importance of micro chipping. It doesn’t cost that much and in our case has brought our dog back home.”