A Southampton family has been reunited with missing Siberian husky Sasha a week after the dog was apparently stolen from the back garden of their Byron Road, Thornhill, home.

As reported, the £600 pedigree pet disappeared last Saturday, leaving Maria Mould and her children distraught.

A day later, she received an anonymous call from a man claiming he had bought Sasha and offering to sell her back to Maria, but he wouldn’t leave contact details and never called back.

But the prized pooch is now back where she belongs after being found wandering the streets across the other side of the city in Millbrook, from where she was taken in by Warren Avenue Kennels, who Maria had notified.

Delighted Maria, 47, said she was just relieved to have Sasha home.

The mature childcare student said: “It’s brilliant. I was gutted really when she was missing, it made me feel sick.

“My little one was overjoyed when she came home and saw her back.

“Sasha’s not herself – she’s very quiet and won’t leave my side at the moment, but she’s being well pampered and we’re giving her treats. Hopefully she’ll get over it.”