THE owners of a rare breed of dog that was snatched from outside their Wirral home have thanked the public for helping find him.

"Shadow", a Siberian Husky, was last seen by owner Dawn Stirling at the family home in Cedar Avenue, Bebington, on Tuesday afternoon.

Appeal posters were put up around the village and a member of the public got in touch to say he had seen the two-year-old being bundled into the back of a car.

He was found near Central Station in Birkenhead on Monday by officers from British Transport Police and returned to his owners.

Mrs Stirling, a hairdresser, told the Globe: "It's fantastic to have him back, can’t believe it and want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped bring him back home.

"I was cutting someone’s hair and talking about Shadow on Monday when I had a call from my son to say he had been found.

"When he saw me, Shadow just jumped up. He's had an exciting week, whatever he has been doing, and is just shattered."

Son Jay said: "I would like to add a special thank you to our neighbours Steve and Chris, who witnessed shadow being dragged into the car, without them we would never know Shadow had been stolen which changed the nature of the search.

"Also to Jason - another neighbour who captured it all on CCTV and gave us the information on the car we vitally needed.

"And we thank the public who united to help search for Shadow wherever they are from. Also to the services involved that helped co-ordinate searches."

In a statement, Merseyside police said: "The dog's owners posted details on various social media sites and enquiries were made by Wirral CID via local media in the Merseyside area and in partnering forces and with other agencies.

"At around midday on Monday, February 17, colleagues from British Transport Police recovered the dog in the Birkenhead area and it has since been reunited with its owners.

"Wirral CID are still investigating this crime and the circumstances and would ask anyone with any information about it, to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."