A dog which appeared to have been stolen was returned to the garden after the owner made a heartfelt plea on Facebook.

Brydee Hill reported that burglars broke into her home in Cleves Way in South Ashford on Wednesday this week, stealing her pet chihuahua Bailey along with jewellery and cash.

The mum-of-two said it really upset the whole family after the thieves smashed the back door to gain access to her home between 10.45am and 1pm on the day.

But she set up a prominent campaign on Facebook with the help of Kent Online in a bid to make Bailey too hot to handle for the thieves.

She has since been staying with her parents, but made an appeal for the chihuahua dog to be returned on Facebook, and put up posters around the area.

She said: “I wrote on Facebook that I just wanted to get her back, and said to the thieves if they had any heart they would just put her back in the garden, no questions asked.

“Last night we found her in the garden, and we have since taken her to the vets who’ve said she is fine. She is a little bit scared, but we’re over the moon to have her back.”

Police are still looking to trace two men who were reported to be in the area at the time to help with their enquiries.

One is described as young white man in his early 20s, 5ft 8 ins tall with a medium build with black shoulder-length hair, wearing blue or black jeans with a black jumper.

The second is also a young man in his early 20s with ginger hair. He is 6ft tall with a slim build and was wearing blue or black jeans with a brown jumper.

Anyone with information can contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 and quote reference number ZY/27748/16.