A dog stolen from outside a shop in Tovil has been reunited with its owner by police.

The seven-year-old pedigree Chihuahua was taken from Farleigh Hill yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, April 5).

Witnesses reported seeing the white and tan coloured pedigree pup being loaded into a car, sparking a hunt for the dognapper.

The pooch was found that afternoon in Sittingbourne by police dog handlers.

Elliot Ashley, of Oak Road in Murston, was later charged with the theft and he has been bailed to appear at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday May 17.