A MOTHER has spoken of her delight after getting her family’s beloved puppy back after it was stolen from her backyard.

Kaya, a female, white American Bulldog cross, was taken from Kayleigh Owens’ house just before midday on Friday, March 14.

The three-month-old puppy had been bought as a family pet for her daughters Tiarna, six, and two-year-old Alliah (BOTH CORRECT).

And the 25-year-old mother-of-two from Northcote Street, Stockton, gave her eldest daughter a massive treat when she picked her up from school this afternoon (Wednesday, March 26).

She said: “I couldn’t sit around and do nothing so I found out as much information as possible and handed it over to the police. They said they would do some investigations and they got our dog back for us, which was fantastic news.

“They brought Kaya home this afternoon and when I took her with me to pick up Tiarna from school, the look on her face was fantastic – she was so excited to have the dog back she just ran up and started hugging her.”

Cleveland Police said a man, who had bought the dog in good faith, came forward when he saw an appeal for the missing puppy and now Kaya has been returned to its rightful home.

PC Ralph Reed said: “We were contacted by a man who said he believed he had been sold a stolen dog in good faith. He brought it in and the family have identified the dog as their own, so it is a happy result for them.

“This is still an active investigation and we will continue to look for the man who stole the dog.”

Anyone with further information is asked to call Cleveland Police on non emergency number 101.