Yorkshire Terrier has been returned to a Ukrainian family in south London after she was stolen.
‘Ellie’ disappeared from a home on Ellison Road in Streatham on Sunday morning, and the family reported it to the Metropolitan Police that afternoon.
The family had recently arrived in the UK from Ukraine, Met Police said.
Officers began investigating, and following witnesses, CCTV and vehicle enquiries Ellie was found at a Surrey address “safe and well”.
“She has since been returned to her family,” Met Police said.
“They were kept updated at each stage of the investigation.”
Enquiries surrounding the dog theft remain ongoing. There have been no arrests at this stage.
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds. It developed during the 19th century in Yorkshire, England. The dogs can weigh between four to seven pounds.
The Standard revealed in April that dog thefts in the UK hit a seven-year high, and London was revealed to be the worst hit area.
As many as 2,760 dogs were stolen last year, figures compiled by Direct Line Pet Insurance show, a 16 per cent since rise since 2015.
Figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show the most likely breeds to be targeted are French Bulldogs, costing more than £3,000, followed by Jack Russell Terriers and other small dogs like Chihuahuas and Pugs.
London was the hardest hit area in the country with 422 thefts reported to the Met, followed by West Yorkshire and then Kent.
