Pub’s beloved stolen badger mascot returned, with a brand new scarf and an apology from the thief who took it in ‘drunken prank’

A pub has been reunited with it’s beloved badger mascot with an apology from the thief who took it in a ‘drunken prank’ and a new scarf. 

‘Mr Badger and Mrs Badger’ as they are known were gifted to The Oddfellows Arms in Wimborne, Dorset, by a customer in 1991.

For the past 35 years the couple have sat on the windowsill of the 18th century pub becoming local celebrities in the area.

But then in a dramatic drunken heist on March 27 a female customer was caught on CCTV smuggling Mr Badger out of the pub after drinks with her friends.

The woman hid him under her scarf as she fled the boozer before fleeing to Wetherspoons for a celebratory drink with the mascot perched on her lap.

The Oddfellows launched a desperate appeal for information about the culprit while  Mrs Badger staring out of the pub’s window longing for her partner’s return.

But on Friday morning the badger smuggler, who has not been named, called landlord Callum Brooks to apologise and arrange to bring the missing mascot back.

The woman sheepishly explained she tried to return it on Saturday morning, the day after she took it, but the pub was closed.

Mr Badger (right with his new scarf) has been reunited with Mrs Badger after the woman who swiped the beloved toy returned him to the Oddfellows Arms on Good Friday 

The Oddfellows Arms in Winborne, Dorset, launched an appeal after the unnamed woman ran off with its mascot, Mr Badger (The woman is pictured with the furry toy)

Afterwards, the woman forgot about it and was embarrassed and unsure what to do when the campaign went viral and attracted national press attention.

Mr Badger was finally returned on Good Friday with a new scarf and the woman had made a £100 donation to a badger charity.

The mascot is now back in the pub’s window with Mrs Badger and Mr Brooks said he won’t be tightening security but will just trust people to do the right thing.

Mr Brooks, 41, said: ‘When we put the first post up on March 28 we thought someone has probably got a sore head, woken up and realised they have taken something with a lot of history.

‘We thought they would do the right thing and return it and we could shake hands, say no hard feelings and move on.

‘We waited for three days before we posted the images of the woman on social media and it captured everyone’s imagination.

‘I think that is because Brits don’t like injustice and entitlement of someone taking something which had been there for over 30 years.’

Mr Brooks acknowledged that everyone can ‘relate to a drunken mistake’  adding ‘you just have to own it and be honest about it’.

He continued: ‘It’s got a lovely ending – he’s had a week’s holiday, been looked after and come back with a new scarf. 

‘It has added to the nice atmosphere in the pub, it really brought everyone together.’

Despite the theft, Mr Brooks said the woman remains welcome in Oddies any time. 

Pub Landlord Callum Brooks pictured with Mrs Badger and a donated baby badger. He received a call from the Badger smuggler on Friday morning where she admitted to the theft of the beloved soft toy  

The pub took to social media offering a ‘reward’ for information about the badger’s whereabouts

On a more serious note, He has called for other pubs top be ‘a bit braver and stand up for themselves’. 

He said: It’s not okay for people to just take things. But it’s okay to make mistakes if you own them and are accountable. From my point of view she’s good as gold and learnt from her mistake.

‘He’s back in the window, we’re not going to chain them up or anything, what would that say about the society we live in if we do that. I believe in accountability for actions.

‘We’ve not had an incident like it before but I would rather keep trust and rely on people to do the right thing.’ 

Locals rallied round the pub with one bringing in a baby badger toy to keep Mrs Badger company and another pub, The Wimborne Pig, loaned Oddfellows a stuffed badger stand-in.

Rewards for information were also offered, including a £50 bar tab and a £50 Amazon voucher.

And Mr and Mrs Badger will now be able to take centre stage at a street party on April 11.