A FAMILY left heartbroken after their beloved one-eyed puppy was stolen have had it returned thanks to the power of soclal media.

Mother-of-two Kara Walker said she and partner Mark Howe had Luna taken from their home on Thursday afternoon.

Their seven-year-old son Tyler and daughter Kaela, six, were inconsolable.

The ten-week-old St Bernard bitch had been left at the family home in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, County Durham, while Miss Walker went to watch Tyler in his school’s Christmas play.

She left the house at about 1.20pm and knew something was wrong as soon as she returned with the children just after 3pm.

Police were investigating the theft and issued an appeal for information via social media.

On Friday night, Ms Walker announced the pup had been returned.

Writing on Facebook she said: "Just wanted to let everybody know my precious puppy has been returned. It is amazing what social media can do, thank you all so much."

  • Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Crook neighbourhood police team on 101, quoting incident reference DHM-08122016-0241.