A DOG stolen from a Hampshire teenager while out on a walk has been reunited with its owner after being missing for three months.

Two-year-old Max, a brown and white Shih Tzu crossed with a Cavalier King Charles, was found in Aldershot and returned home to his ecstatic family.

He was taken just after 9pm on September 10 while being walked in Colney Heath, Hertfordshire.

His teenage owner’s mobile phone was also stolen and when the thief tried to flee he became tangled in the dog lead and picked up the animal and ran off.

Police said the thief was aged between 16 and 17, of average build and around5ft 10ins tall with short, shaven dark hair, wearing a dark tracksuit.

He fled in a white BMW 1 series car with two other men.

Police said Max has lost some weight but is otherwise doing very well back home.

Several appeals for Max’s safe return had been made on social media in the past three months.

Max's owner, who did not want to be identified, thanked the Stolen and Stray Pet Rescue organisation for recovering Max once he had been recognised on social media.