Stolen dog returned to owners 5 years later

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte family said they received an early Christmas present when their dog, who was stolen five years ago, was returned.

Tomika Reeves said that someone stole her dog, Carson, when she left him outside on a leash.
       
She said she kept looking for him and even kept a lot of his toys in hopes he would come home.

Then animal control found Carson on Sunday and noticed he was micro chipped.
       
It allowed the staff to find his family.

"He had to get back used to us but once he got in the house, it was like everything was back to normal like he's never left," Reeves said.

Reeves thought that Carson was probably in another state, but it turns out he was still in Charlotte.

Animal control found him walking around in Pineville.

To see more local news stories, click here.

WSOC