STOLEN puppy Buddy has been reunited with his owners after a tense three-day search.

The cute 10-week-old Jack Russell was dog-napped by burglars who raided his family’s home last week.

But a determined campaign on Facebook and Twitter, along with “Missing” posters and other advertisements, saw his return on Sunday night.

Owners Stuart and Christine Whiting received a phone call from members of the public who claimed they had found him wandering down a Bournemouth road.

Stuart collected him and then woke up children Lucy, 10, and eight-year-old Eve to break the good news.

“They were so excited – it was better than Christmas morning” said Christine.

“We have only had him for three weeks so they were really upset when he was stolen.”

Stuart thanked all those involved in the search for Buddy and said the strength of the search party would have made it impossible for the burglars to keep him.

“It was all over Facebook and Twitter really quickly and everyone was talking about it” said Stuart.

“They wouldn’t have been able to leave the house with him.”

He particularly thanked neighbour’s daughter Lucia Banks who started the Facebook appeal for Buddy’s return.

Buddy appears to be completely unharmed but the family was taking no chances, whisking him off to the vet for a check-up the day after his return.

The puppy was stolen during a burglary at the family’s Richmond Park Road home in Charmninster on Thursday last week, between 12.50pm and 2.45pm.

Police said two people had been arrested in connection with the crime – a 26-year-old Bournemouth man on suspicion of burglary and a 17-year-old girl from Poole on suspicion of handling stolen goods. Both are helping officers with their enquiries.

Witnesses or those with information can contact Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 21:236 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.