Lost dogs found after five years

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WICHITA, Kan., July 16 (UPI) -- A Kansas couple said their beloved basset hounds have been returned to them after being stolen from their Tennessee back yard more than five years ago.

Brenda Travis and Tom Shields said the dogs, Allie and Bama, were taken from their home in Murfreesboro, Tenn., more than five years ago. The couple later moved to Wichita, Kan., and gave up hope of ever seeing their canines again, the Wichita Eagle reported Monday.

Travis said she received a voicemail Wednesday from a number she didn't recognize and called the number back when she was unable to understand the message.

She said the number turned out to be the Paulding County animal shelter in Dallas, Ga., and the worker asked her if she owned a basset hound.

"I explained we used to but somebody stole them years ago," Travis said.

The worker then explained that both dogs had recently arrived at the shelter and employees discovered Bama had a microchip with Travis' cellphone number.

The dogs and owners were reunited Saturday. Travis and Shields said they do not know where the dogs have been for the past five years, but they are happy to have them home.

"As soon as they saw us, they came running up," Travis said.