Video: Shocking moment a pet dog is snatched from Bradford family’s garden

Owner Andy Brown captured the crime on CCTV and had released the footage as part of an appeal to track down nine-year-old Charlie, the missing miniature Schnauzer.

Mr Brown said he let Charlie into the back garden at about 8.15pm on Wednesday, September 2, but when he opened the door to let him back in 45 minutes later, the dog had gone.

On Sunday, the dog was found dumped about six miles away from his home by a member of the public and has been reunited with his family - including Andy’s autistic granddaughter Kyla, who dotes on the pet.

Six-year-old Kyla, who can’t speak, was allowed to stay specially up to bath and cuddle Charlie once he was back in the loving arms of his family.

Mr Brown said: “When I saw the video I did feel physically sick, because not only the fact they had stolen him but the way the dog was handled, how it was dragged over the wall.

“There was just no thought for the dog whatsoever.”

Speaking about Charlie’s discovery, Mr Brown, 51, said: “He was in a cold, wet, dirty state. We think he has been roaming round for a while trying to find his way home. He is not a dog taken from the premises a lot, he wouldn’t know how to get back.

“To replace him now, just in monetary value, you are talking £800-1000. But it’s not the money that counts, it’s the emotional value to us a family and my granddaughter.

“It was just heartwarming when we heard the news, we were told on the phone and it was just tearful trying to keep back the emotion, we just couldn’t believe he had been found.”

Police haven’t caught the man who took Charlie - and the Brown’s are warning people not to leave their dogs unattended in their gardens.