Officers rescue Taffy the pedigree puppy from thieves

The four-month-old puppy was reunited with owner Faith McLachlan, of Albourne Close, Brighton, who has promised to give him a fantastic first Christmas.

Taffy was nabbed when Miss McLachlan, 36, left him outside the post office in St James's Street, Brighton, with a woman who offered to hold his lead for her.

When she came out, her pet pooch and the woman had both disappeared.

Miss McLachlan, who uses two sticks to walk, said: "A woman walked with me to the post office because I don't know the area very well.

"She told me she was homeless and I told her she could stay at my house one evening to give her a night out of the cold.

"She offered to hold Taffy's lead and when I came out of the post office, they had gone.

"I was absolutely distraught. I ran towards a police van and by the time I got there I was crying."

Police Community Support Officers Richard Wright and James Conway spoke to known suspects and managed to track down Miss McLachlan's dog a week later.

Miss McLachlan is now searching for a special Christmas gift for Taffy, who is training to be a guide dog.

She said: "I never thought I would see him again. I thought he had been sold on because he is a pedigree.

"When he disappeared it was like losing a child. He is such a perfect little thing and he means the world to me.

"He is so happy to be back home. He curls up on the covers and watches me until I go to sleep, then he gets into his bed, which is in my room.

"He has had an upset stomach and he is a bit thinner than before but I am going to spoil him rotten."

Miss McLachlan sent the officers a Christmas card to thank them for finding Taffy.

She said: "I just can't thank them enough. I was stunned when they found him so quickly. I can't quite believe he is back."

Stephen Kelly, 32, from Brighton, has been charged with handling stolen goods.

Police are hunting for a woman, who failed to return after being released on bail, in connection with the theft.