A GRATEFUL dog owner has been reunited with her much loved pet who was discovered more than 100 miles away from home.

Little Welsh terrier Tess was spotted by a passer-by at five in the morning tied to a lamp post.

Exactly how Tess got there remains a mystery although her owner, Miss Rachel Pearce did fear she had been stolen.

Tess disappeared from the grounds of her home in Shropshire eight days prior to being found.

The man who discovered her took Tess to My Pets Vets in Twist Lane, Leigh and a scanner revealed she was missing from her home in Ludlow, Shropshire.

She had suffered what appeared to be bite wounds, damage to her tail and was shaken by the experience.

"I was just so relieved to get the phone call to say Tess had been found.

"I can't express my gratitude enough to the man who found her and the vets' practice who not only scanned her but looked after her so well, " said 47-year-old Miss Pearce.

Caroline Purnell, who owns the practice with her husband Lloyd said: "Tess was not only chipped, but the microchip details were up to date and her owners had also marked her as stolen with the microchip central database.

"A phone call later and her owners knew where she was and that she was safe, putting an end to their eight days of worry."

Ms Purnell said all owners should have their pets microchipped — it is compulsory for dogs — and remember to update those details if they move home or change telephone number.

Tess was collected by Miss Pearce's sister, Mrs Alison Alder who happily made the two and a half hour journey and the dog went home to plenty of fuss and attention from her owner and her nine other canine companions.