A MISSING dog has been reunited with her owners after being found miles from home following a widespread search - which included using drones to search fields.

Donna Sullivan, 45, of Browns Avenue, Wickford, launched a desperate search for her beloved dog Beau after she went missing.

She was joined in the search for her darling pet by members of Tilly’s Angels which helps anxious dog owners to be reunited with their pets and spreads the word via its Facebook page, which has 3,100 members.

People searching for Beau even used thermal cameras and drones in a bid to search nearby fields and roads for the labrador cross.

Drone footage of the search was put on YouTube alongside a video appeal of Donna pleading for her dog’s return and, happily, a day later, the call everyone had been waiting for came - from Waltham Abbey, about 30 miles away.

Donna said: “I got a call after ten days from a woman saying she had Beau in Waltham Abbey and I started berating her for being so cruel and getting my hopes up.

“Then my husband pointed out that the person was calling on our home phone and the only way they could have that number was from Beau’s chip.

“The penny dropped, they really did have Beau in a rescue centre up there and I was utterly overjoyed.

“I am sure someone must have had Beau. She was not ill treated in any way - I think she had been housed somewhere but that with the help of all the community and Tilly’s Angels, the huge social media following and support Beau became too hot to handle and was then taken to the rescue kennels in Waltham Abbey.”

How Beau managed to get from Wickford to Waltham Abbey is a mystery. Beau had no signs of having been on the streets or even sleeping outdoors. The vet gave her the all clear with no cuts or sore pads.

Donna has now decided to hold a fundraiser for Tilly’s Angels so they can continue to help other owners. She said: “I had literally no sleep while Beau was missing and I just couldn’t wait to get her back. I cannot put into words what it was like to get her back. She saw me, laid down, moved her paw to me and then touched my finger with her nose – then she went nuts and was jumping up and down and licking me all over. It was fantastic and I cannot thank everyone enough.

“She was so tired that she slept for the first few days back home.

Hammers our other dog and all the ponies and horses had missed her terribly too but Beau and our other pets are all back to normal now. “I am so grateful for all the support and help that I just had to do something.”

Tilly’s Angels’ Helene Leader said: “We are over the moon that Beau is back and Tilly’s Angels Search Team and members were able to assist along with the Wickford Community to do this. Donna worked so hard to get her baby home and it all paid off. “

Donna, who runs Pony Pals, also in Browns Avenue, will hold a fun day on Sunday complete with games, pony rides, petting sessions and much more.

Tilly’s Angels is currently trying to help find Dotty, a terrier cross who has six-week-old puppies and went missing from Butts Lane in Stanford-le-Hope.

She went missing on April 16 and her owners are desperate to get her back. Search for Tilly’s Angels on Facebook.