A pup stolen by masked machete-wielding thugs after they smashed into his owners home has been found dumped on the side of a road.
Nine-week-old American Bulldog Cairo is now back with his relieved owners after he was snatched by three crooks wearing balaclavas who broke into an address in Glasgow on Wednesday night.
Heartbroken owners Caitlin Maley, 21, and David Waters launched a fundraising page in a bid to get him back after their home was burgled at around 10pm.
David, 20, had answered the doorbell around 9.40pm thinking a takeaway order had arrived but was confronted with three thugs who stormed the property and pushed him to the ground, Daily Post reports.
He was pinned to the floor by one thug, while another threatened to slash him and a third snatched Cairo.
Speaking to the Post on Thursday Caitlin said her partner was feeling 'hopeless and terrified' following the dognapping.
Taking to social media on Friday, Caitlin informed people of Cairo's safe return.
She wrote: "Thank you everyone who shared and helped us get our boy back."
The couple confirmed that Cairo had been found tonight and was going to be checked over by a vet.
Dog thefts have increased by almost a fifth during lockdown - with up to seven pets being reported stolen each day in 2020.
Shocking figures released this months showed an estimated 2,438 dogs were reported stolen last year, up 19% from 2019.
But sadly only 22% were reunited with their owners.
Experts fear increased dog ownership and soaring prices for pups during the pandemic is driving the surge in thefts.
Dog owners are being urged to be extra vigilant and keep microchip details up to date as many begin to return to offices as restrictions ease.
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