A PET boxer dog which was apparently kidnapped and held for ransom has been reunited with its young owner.

But now police have arrested a man after claims that Roxy had been given away without 19-year-old Abigail Carne’s permission.

The bizarre twist came on Tuesday – just 24 hours after police had issued an appeal for the animal’s safe return.

At first it was thought that Roxy had been stolen from the back garden of the home Abigail shares with her family in Verwood’s Monmouth Road. A police statement issued on Monday said officers were investigating allegations that Abigail had received anonymous phone calls demanding £300 for the safe return of her dog.

But just hours after Roxy was returned to her home by officers on Tuesday, a reader contacted the Daily Echo to say the dog had spent the last seven days with her mother, who had accepted the animal in good faith.

Her mother had contacted the police after hearing a plea for the dog’s return on a local radio station, the woman said – and had been shocked to learn that her new pet was at the centre of a police investigation.

Dorset Police confirmed they had arrested a 40-year old man in connection with the alleged theft of the dog, which was found at an address in Canford Heath.

The man has been released on police bail while enquires continue, a police spokesman said.

Abigail told the Daily Echo she had not asked officers how they had found Roxy, or with whom, adding that she had been relieved by the safe return of her pet.

“I was in floods of tears when she bounced through the door. But Roxy was completely unphased. She stopped for a quick cuddle and ran out into the garden,” she said.

“The last week has been horrible. I’ve had Roxy since she was eight weeks old. She’s so affectionate.”