A DOG owner has been reunited with his beloved pet after she was stolen during a break-in at his home in Croft.

Ray Malkin, of Dam Lane, made a heartfelt plea last month to the public to help track down a two-and-a-half-year-old Jack Russell named Bonney.

The dog, which was bought for the much-loved family man to help him grieve in the wake of his wife's death, was taken when thieves targeted his home at midday on October 6.

But days after the Warrington Guardian published an appeal to locate Bonney, she was discovered in Leigh and she was handed into a nearby dogs’ home.

Ray's 19-year-old grandson James Leake from Stockton Heath said: "My grandad is made up and we think she has been ditched as the people who had her might have seen the newspaper and realised they can't get away with it.

"We can't thank you and everyone involved enough."

The dog, which has been by Ray's side since his wife Joan died aged 83 in May 2013, was stolen along with £3,600 worth of horse tack for the cart including six saddles and a harness.

Thieves broke into the property while Ray was at the doctors – leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Ray regularly sells free range eggs, potatoes and vegetables with an honesty box on display for customers to pay for the goods they want.

This box was also emptied by the thieves.

Ray said: "I would like to thank everyone for their help in finding Bonney and I'm grateful for everyone who has supported and helped with the search also the dog warden and Leigh dogs’ home.

"As soon as I got the phone call that Bonney was at Leigh dogs I picked her up straight away.

"Bonney was slightly under weight and exhausted but when she got back she walked herself to her usual sleeping spot next to the fire and slept all day.

"She is now back to the condition she was and Bonney couldn't be happier.

"I'm still continuing running the farm shop on dam lane selling veg eggs and potatoes with Bonney by his side greeting my customers.”