Stolen pet cannot be returned because of Data Protection. What the dickens is the point?

Sadly I can see both sides and suppose that the people who now own it will more than likely have purchased it legally.

They can't have purchased it legally because the owner didn't sell it.

If a car is stolen and then sold on, when traced it's returned to its original owner - the person who bought it in good faith loses the car and the money they paid for it. It should be the same with pets.

Ditto.. a bit shocked at this decision.   I wonder if some investigation surrounding the case has been done and we are not aware of that part of it.. well I live in hope anyway. Very sad indeed.

They don't even give you details if you find a dog.  You've either got to see whether the vet can get the details and even they seem to find it hard work when on the phone.  Then if you can't keep the dog find  someone who can.

The article does state he tied the dog up in the yard and went ot Leeds, he lives in Wakefield and the Whatever it was said marital disputes can cause these issues.  He might not be as innocent as presumed.