Dog and Teen in Underwear Foil Bicycle Heist

April 1, 2001 Porthcawl, South Wales

When the bike thief tried to make off with his stolen goods, he hadn't counted on being pursued.  Imagine his horror when he glanced over his shoulder and saw, just at his heels, a 13-year-old Jack Russell terrier and a 14-year-old boy in his underwear.

The man dropped the bicycle and fled.

"I think seeing my dog and me coming after him was too much," said Christopher Missen, the brave, 14-year-old owner of the bike.

Christopher had been ironing his trousers in the kitchen of his house on Severn Road when through a window he saw a man grab the bicycle, which was leaning up against the house.

Said his mother Alison Missen, "Christopher ran after him - no shoes, no socks and no trousers - just his boxers."

"Spit", the Jack Russell terrier, thought it was a game, and immediately joined in the chase.

"The dog thought it was all a great laugh and started chasing after him and pulling his boxers off," added Alison Missen.

"After a short distance the man gave up and dropped the bike.  The noise of the dog must have frightened him half to death."

Said Christopher, "I don't know what came over me—I just decided to chase after him.  I ran about 100 meters, swearing and cursing at him.  Unfortunately, the dog was trying to pull my boxers down.

"I don't know what I'd have done if I'd come face to face with him."

His mother commented, "I'm very proud, but I don't know what the neighbors thought seeing the kid running up the road in his boxers.  They've learned to expect anything."

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