A beloved French bulldog pup has been reunited with its owner less than 24 hours after it was stolen after an enormous social media appeal.
Charlotte Hodgkinson's pooch Zushi was dognapped sometime between 4.45pm and 11.30pm on Saturday January 22 while the 26-year-old was at work in Elgin.
Mum of one Charlotte, who is four months pregnant with her second child, came back home to find her back door wide open and the utility room where Zushi was kept empty.
After reporting the theft to police, she took to social media to appeal for those responsible to return the dog, and put out a second appeal via the Daily Record.
Charlotte's Facebook post, in which she shared her "heartbreak" over her dog's disappearance, was shared over 14,000 times as well-meaning Scots spread the word and sought to make Zushi too hot to handle.
Less than a day after she was taken, Zushi has been returned to Charlotte, who has thanked those who helped to get the word out.
Posting on social media, she said: "Thank you to everyone for the unbelievable support feeling rather grateful.
"So glad she’s safe and well and home where she belongs.
"I don’t want to say to much at this point and I will now leave it in the hands of the police who have done an absolutely fantastic job.
"Thank you again to everyone - my faith in humanity has been restored."
Charlotte told us earlier today how the theft of her beloved pet had left her feeling unsafe in her own home.
She stayed elsewhere last night after raising the alarm.
She said: "I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of someone being in my house."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The dog has been returned and enquiries are ongoing."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
