A thief stole a puppy from a child as she played on a swing in her garden.
Police in Wigan revealed the crime as they issued an appeal to find Dotty the four-month-old sausage dog on Saturday evening.
The young girl was playing outside when a man in a ‘security’ jumper walked into the garden, picked Dotty up and ran away.
Thousands shared the appeal and slammed the ‘despicable’ thief.
‘Despicable!’ one person wrote. ‘I hope the little girl is ok and the dog is returned safely.’
‘I cannot believe what I am reading,’ another said.
‘I hope the little girl and the family are ok and their beautiful dog is returned to her family safe and sound.’
Thankfully, there was good news for the girl and her family last night.
In an update, officers said: ‘Following on from yesterday’s social media post regarding the theft of a dog we are happy to confirm that the dog has now been located.’
