A "VULNERABLE" seven-week old puppy which went missing after a burglary in Middlesbrough has been returned to its owner.

Owner Elizabeth Day feared Daisy, a miniature Chihuahua-Yorkshire Terrier cross, would die without the specialist treatment it needed after being rejected by its mother at just four weeks old.

But Cleveland Police said the dog had been returned to its owner this week. The puppy went missing after a two-in-one burglary - in which a house is burgled to access keys to steal a car outside - on Hovingham Street, North Ormesby last week.

As well as taking her car, burglars also took Daisy in the robbery, leaving Ms Day devastated. The puppy was on a special diet of goat's milk and specialist food due to its weak condition.

But after it was missing for a week, Ms Day was handed her dog back by a man on the street.

*Three men aged 22, 19 and 17 have been charged with aggravated taking a vehicle without the owner's consent. A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been interviewed and bailed pending further inquiries.