Peterborough homeless man 'absolutely ecstatic' after his faithful companion is returned

A homeless man living in Peterborough is "absolutely ecstatic" after having his faithful companion returned to him.
Dave and Jack before Jack was stolenDave and Jack before Jack was stolen
Dave and Jack before Jack was stolen

Dave Vargo, who said he has been living in a tent for three years before recently being moved into a hostel, was reunited with his five-year-old Jack Russell called Jack last night.

The 54-year-old was "devastated" after his dog was taken from Queensgate Bus Station two Fridays ago, prompting a huge Facebook campaign to find him and bring him to back to his owner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And that campaign appears to have paid dividends with Jack handed over to somebody anonymously, before then being reunited with a delighted Dave.

JackJack
Jack

Dave said: "He came back last night. Somebody returned him. It was all the pressure on Facebook and people sharing it. I'm absolutely ecstatic.

"I was so worried he had been taken for baiting. I was absolutely gutted. I've been panicking, worrying and burst into tears - I've slept about three hours in three days."

Dave rescued Jack more than three years ago, but when the flat he was renting was found to be uninhabitable he was unable to be put in a hostel because he would have had to have given the Jack Russell up, he claims.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, Dave said he was recently allowed to stay with Jack at the new New Haven hostel, only for his pet pooch to then be taken, as well as his wallet.

"I've been homeless for three years because I refused to give up the dog. I've been living in a tent for three years. They've finally found somewhere where me and the dog can go - then he was stolen," he said.

"I've been walking along Bourges Boulevard screaming Jack's name."

Dave, who said he served in the Navy during the Falklands conflict, now hopes to get a flat of his own and meet his sister for the first time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said he would like to work but that employers won't give him a chance because of his poor physical health.

He added: "I would like to say a big thank you to everybody who put pressure on by sharing about Jack."