A BELOVED pet who went missing five years ago has been miraculously reunited with his owners.

Four-year-old canine Jack went missing in 2005 after Michael Neary and his family took him on a holiday to Ireland.

Despite an exhaustive search Mr Neary concluded that Jack, then a puppy, had been stolen was forced to return home without him.

They believed they would never see their much-loved pet again until a stray Jack Russell was taken in to an Irish animal sanctuary earlier this year.

The dog was transferred to Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester, Huntingdon and was scanned for a microchip.

He was then handed back to his original owners who were said to be “astonished” at the find.

As spokeswoman for Wood Green Animal Shelter said Mr Neary and his family “never imagined they would see their beloved pet again”.

Shelley Wooding, head of animal welfare at the shelter, added: “Jack’s story has amazed us all.

“Without a microchip, Jack would never have found his way back to his family.”