Stolen bulldog puppy worth £16,000 found in Wantage
A rare lilac bulldog puppy worth £16,000 that was snatched from its breeder's Surrey home has been found.
A man who said he was interested in buying the eight-week-old pup ran away with the bulldog, known as Lila, from a property in Tadworth in October.
Police said Lila was found on Thursday evening in Wantage, Oxfordshire, following information from the public. She has been reunited with her owner.
A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
Det Con Eloise Lock, of Surrey Police, said coverage of the theft by the media had led officers to the address in Wantage where Lila was found.
Breeder's relative 'assaulted'
"We cannot thank the public enough," she said.
"Although Lila has now been found, I would still ask anyone who has any more information about this case to contact us with anything they think would help with the investigation."
The theft took place on 17 October. The offender ran from the property with the animal, allegedly assaulting a relative of the breeder in the process.
Police released a further appeal to find Lila on Wednesday.
A 29-year-old woman from the Wantage area has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. She has been released on bail until a later date.
Four men - aged 24, 26 and two aged 25 - were arrested on 28 November on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. A 27-year-old man was also arrested on 23 December, Surrey Police said.
They have been released on bail until February 19 and 20.